Bastrop Park

Feeding the ducks at the park:
Mimi says this is how hot it was... even the squirrel was pooped!

Capital of TX Zoo

The kids visited the Capital of TX Zoo while staying in Bastrop. Here are some cute pictures from their day.

On our way in our new monkey caps:
What are these strange creatures?
Funny looking llamas:
A PIG... kinda looks like our brother, Nick!

Mowing with Papa

The kids really enjoyed "helping" Papa mow the lawn!

Hanging out at Mimi & Papa's

Nick & Gigi watching TV together:

Snuggling on the sofa in our new Mexico blankets from Gigi:

Fun in Bastrop

The kids had a great time at Mimi & Papa's house in Bastrop. They went swimming, they went to the zoo and to the park, they "helped" Papa mow the lawn, they fed the wild turkeys and enjoyed spending time out in the country. They were anxious to get home, but once back in their bedroom, they wanted to go back to Mimi & Papa's home! Go figure! Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week...

Nicholas wanted to wear big brother's swim goggles:

I LOVE this picture of Sydney hugging Nick on their picnic:

My Incredible Hulk:

Rosy Centerpiece

As someone who has a very hard time keeping plants & flowers alive, I am VERY proud when I have something to show for my efforts. This is definitely worth showing...

I'm hoping they will help sell my house! Wishful thinking...

June 15!!

I cannot believe it is already June 15! This month is half over!

First of all, thank you, Rachel, for your reassuring comment on my last post. Although it was pretty traumatic at the time, Sydney will now proudly tell you all about her allergy test. The doctor tested her for the 8 main food allergens and included a separate test for egg whites and egg yolks. The scale runs from 0 to 4, with 0 being no allergen present and 4 being a severe allergy present. Sydney tested negative on all main food allergens, but scored a 2 reaction to egg whites and a 3 reaction to egg yolks. So, although it's not severe, she definitely does have an allergy to eggs. And, thankfully, it only seems to be direct contact with eggs... scrambled, fried, etc. She can eat foods that have eggs baked in, such as cakes, cookies, breads, etc. Apparently, the property of the egg changes when it's cooked in a product. Good to know! So, we will go back in 6 months to re-evaluate the severity of this food allergy. (I'm going to make her Daddy take her next time. That was torture hearing my little girl cry for a good 15 minutes & not being able to hold or comfort her.) Hopefully, it will go away with time.

Well, today was the big day... our house was listed on the market! WHEW! After about 2 solid weeks of hard work, sweat & several curse words, I'm sure, we have finished all the necessary repairs to make our old 1962 home shine! Sammy & his friends installed wood laminate flooring in our bedroom & the hallway. We had the carpet & tile professionally cleaned. We repainted our bedroom, three living room walls & the entire ceiling running through our kitchen and both living room areas. Sammy repainted the exterior trim. A good friend of mine sealed & painted over nail holes in the walls. And, we have cleaned this place like it has never been cleaned before! I think it looks great & I really hope we get some interested buyers SOON! Because, it is HARD keeping it neat & clean with 3 small children. This is definitely not going to be fun... but, I sure hope it will be worth it in the long run. Here are some pictures:



The kiddos spent a week at Mimi & Papa's house while Sammy & I were working on our home. I've got some cute pictures to share that I'll post in a later entry.

Enjoy your June 15th!

One down... one to go!

We got one sinus infection down... one allergy test to go!

Nicholas had been running quite a high fever last weekend for 4 days straight. So, first thing Monday morning, we went to the doctor. Thank goodness for antibiotics. Sinus infection defeated!

Tomorrow, Sydney will have her allergy testing done. From what I've heard, this is definitely NOT going to be fun. Sydney is supposed to be still for 10-15 minutes while they prick her back about 50 times and wait for the reaction to appear. HELLO... 10-15 minutes of stillness for a 4 year old?!?! After getting poked in the back that many times?!?! I just don't see how it's going to work. She won't be able to scratch any itch that may arise on her back. That's just plain torture, in my opinion. I remember when I had the chicken pox in grade school & my mom constantly reminded me not to scratch. It was an impossible request. Hopefully, it won't be as bad as I'm imagining, though.

Sydney asked me tonight, "Am I getting a shot?" I told her that she wasn't, which is the truth, but I'm not sure what she'll think when they start pricking her back. I hope she doesn't think I deceived her.

If you have a moment after reading this, we'd sure appreciate a prayer!

Have a great Friday!

This day stinks!

As I thought about my day today, two things stand out in my memory:
* Refried Beans
* Nick's Bad Breath

We had tostadas for dinner tonight, so I opened a can of refried beans to warm up on the stove. First of all, whenever I open a can of refried beans, I always feel like I'm opening a can of dog food. And, then when it "slides" out of the can, it looks like I'm preparing dog food for my family to eat. YUK!! And, finally, as it warms up on the stove, it smells like I'm heating up dog food for dinner! That stuff stinks, no matter how you prepare it! But... it sure does taste good on a tostada!

Which leads me to the second stinky item of the day... Nick's breath! My poor son does not have halitosis, but instead he has a sinus infection. I have brushed & brushed his tiny little teeth, the roof of his mouth & his tongue, all to no avail. So, at our doctor visit this morning, I asked why his breath smelled so terrible and the doc explained that it's due to the infection. Once we get that under control, his bad breath will disappear. Thank goodness! I was about ready to teach him to gargle mouthwash!

Hopefully, tomorrow will smell better around here!

My kids are finally paying off...

I'm going to post a couple of e-mails that I sent out to some girlfriends yesterday about a money making opportunity. I figured I should document this for my kids when they get older & they may (or may not) get a chuckle out of it when they read it.

First E-mail:

"Hey girls! Just wanted to pass along a quick & easy money making opportunity. Sydney & I were leaving Collin Creek mall yesterday, when a lady from an office inside the mall stopped me & asked if I would be interested in letting Sydney take part in a research study. They want 2 kids at a time & she wanted to know if I could wait until she could "snag" another parent & kid from the mall, but I was in a hurry. Anyway, I mentioned that Sydney has a twin brother, so we made an appointment for 11:00 tomorrow morning to participate in this study. And here's the best part... they pay $20 per child for about 15 minutes of your time! I believe it's a toy study, however I'm not positive about that. And, I think they are looking for specific ages only, but I'm not sure exactly what ages they prefer. (Sherry, I would think Hannah would definitely be a good candidate since she & the twins are only 2 weeks apart.)

Anyway, a quick & easy way to make $20! Here's the info:

C&C Market Research
Collin Creek Mall
972-423-7660

Sandy Dunn Collier
Office Manager"

And, sadly, here is the second e-mail I sent out:

"Okay, so it's definitely NOT a toy study! I mistook their writing of the word "pay" for "toy". (If you go & see the sign out front, you'll understand.) They are testing a new, childproof cigarette lighter!! HA! I was a bit hesitant at first, but they let the moms watch through a one-way mirror and it's all very safe. Basically, they want to make sure that kids cannot activate this lighter. Samuel thought it was a gun (which I guess isn't much better), so he was having fun! Sydney, bless her heart, was just clueless. She couldn't have cared less about the whole study!

Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know that it is NOT a toy study!! :)"

This is how low I've stooped to earn a little extra money... letting my kids play with cigarette lighters to see if they are really safe or not! Can we all say "White Trash"?!?!

Britney, Britney, Britney

Okay, so I'm sure most everyone has heard about Britney's latest mishap with baby Sean Preston. While I believe that Britney has been irresponsible with him in the past (driving with him in her lap on a freeway & facing his car seat forward before it is safe to do so), I don't think we should crucify her for the stumble in New York. What mother has not lost their balance or tripped with their baby in their arms? I've done it several times, unfortunately. And, if you say you haven't done it, I don't believe that for a second. And, on top of that, what PREGNANT mother hasn't lost their balance or stumbled... especially while holding another baby in their arms?

I just think that the media is making such a bigger deal out of her "stumble" than should be made! Has nobody else ever tripped before? Unfortunately, she just happened to be carrying her son. It's scary, but not an event which should be filed under "irresponsible parenting".

I feel sorry that her every move as a parent is scrutinized by the public and caught on film by the media. If my every move was documented on film, I'm sure my parenting skills would be in question, too. Thank goodness I can make my mistakes in private, learn from them and grow into being a better mom!

What the heck?!?!

Yesterday, I went grocery shopping right before I had to pick up the twins from school. So, I had several grocery bags in the back of the van. After we pulled into the driveway at home, Sydney unbuckled and turned around to look behind the backseat. She saw all the sacks and asked me, "What the heck is that?" I was totally caught off-guard because she has never said this before and of course, I'd rather not hear that coming out of my 4-year old's mouth. So, after a moment of shock, I explained to her that we shouldn't talk that way because it sounds a bit rude. Then, I asked her where she heard that word and without missing a beat, she announced, "Mimi"!

Thanks, Mom!! :)

Actually, after retelling this story to Sammy, he asked me, "Don't you say that a lot?" Ummmm... yeah, I guess I do! Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies:

"Now, I had heard that word at least ten times a day from my old man. He worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium; a master."
- Ralphie in A Christmas Story

TRIPOD

Here is another video that Sammy & I both think is absolutely hysterical! Probably because it hits VERY close to home! Enjoy...

TRIPOD

Muffins with Mom

Yesterday morning, I got to eat breakfast with Samuel at his school. They invited all mothers to attend "Muffins with Mom". I had such a great time & really enjoyed spending some one-on-one time with just Samuel. (Sydney was home asleep because her medication makes her very sleepy.) It was great to sit & talk with other mothers in his class and to watch him interact with his school friends. And, it was really nice to sit down with him for a relaxing breakfast. I rarely get to do that with my kids since I'm usually running around the kitchen doing other things while they eat. I need to spend more time relaxing with my kids and enjoying the simple things, like sharing breakfast together.

The Evolution of Dance

This is way too funny! Personally, it hits close to home when I see all the late 80's dances that I tried to imitate in middle school. I laughed so hard I couldn't catch my breath...

The Evolution of Dance

(I just watched it again to make sure the link I provided worked & laughed even harder! The part where I just about lose it is when he starts dancing to "Ice Ice Baby" and "Can't Touch This". Those songs bring back SO many memories of 7th & 8th grade! So, so funny!!)

Egg Allergy

We found out, quite by accident, that Sydney must be allergic to egg yolks. It seems that she can tolerate egg whites just fine, but not the yolks. (Well, this is our best guess so far, since she hasn't had an official allergy test.) However, this would explain her allergic reaction to her 4 year immunizations last month. Apparently, one of the MMR vaccinations contain egg products. Flu shots also contain egg products. Which makes me wonder whether it would be better to chance getting the flu next season or go through another few days of fighting off welps and splotchy skin ??

This first picture is a pretty tame version of the reaction on her face. This afternoon, her entire face was red and swollen. The redness and irritation comes and goes in waves until the egg product is completely out of her system. We're hoping that will be soon.


This second picture just shows how it has affected her arms and chest. Her entire body is covered with red splotchy patches. I told her she looks like a Dalmatian with red spots. It's so sad to see her in this condition. I know she's okay, but it just looks painful.


However, she is definitely milking this for all it's worth! She slept in bed with us last night & is in our bed again tonight. She knows her Mommy can't say "no" to her right now!

And, we are hoping this is not a very sensitive allergy. As of now, she seems to do fine with cakes, cookies, bread and anything else that is made with eggs. I guess we'll just take it one day at a time and see how she progresses...

Garage Sale Time

Time for another garage sale. I absolutely HATE setting up garage/yard sales, but I am so thankful for the rewards of having it when it's all said & done. A cleaner garage... a home with less junk... and a little extra cash in my pocket.

We are having our sale this Saturday and I CANNOT wait for it to be over already! Wish me luck...

Crazy Twins & Snoozing Siblings

I'm attaching a couple of my favorite pictures that we've taken over the last couple of weeks.

This first one was taken at the end of April. The kids attended a Stephen Fite concert at school and were told to dress as crazy & colorful as possible. So, this is what they picked out.

Samuel was in Heaven! If he had his way, he would dress crazy every day of the week! In fact, on one of our mother/son dates, we went to Target & I told him he could pick out one prize. He said he wanted some green bubble gum. So, on the way to the candy/gum aisle, I made a quick detour through the shoe department. While we were there, he found these yellow rainboots and just had to have them! Lucky for me, they were on clearance for $3 and change! How could I tell him no?!


This second picture was taken last week. Nicholas fell asleep on the sofa during his "quiet" time and Sydney decided to crawl up next to him and snuggle. (Our kids are BIG on snuggling! We love to snuggle!) Eventually, she fell asleep also. I love this picture not only because of how sweet they look together, but mostly because it reminds me of the days when the twins were infants and would fall asleep snuggled next to each other. We would swaddle them and lay them as close as possible so they would feel the other's presence, just like they did in the womb. They would sleep this way on the sofa, in our papasan, in their bassinet and eventually, in their crib... until they outgrew sleeping together and needed their own, individual space. So, when I saw this picture, it reminded me of those first few days and months of Sydney's and Samuel's lives and brought back a flood of memories and emotions. They are all three growing up way too fast!

Say What?!?

Here's one for you, Mom...

This evening, Sydney was helping me cook dinner & was standing on a chair next to the counter. I was leaning on the counter, waiting for the rice on the stove to start boiling. While I was leaning there, Sydney was playing with the tops of my hands that were scrunched up on the countertop. (The veins were very noticeable in this position.) Finally, she looked at me and asked, "Are you a grandma?" HUH?!?!

(The women on my side of the family tend to have very veiny hands, especially as they get older! Looks like I'm following in their footsteps...)

Little Copycat

Nicholas is such a funny kid! He imitates what everyone says & does. Lately, anytime he falls (which is a LOT), he immediately announces, "I okay!" It's the funniest thing because previously, when we would hear him fall, we would always call out to him, "Are you okay?" So, now he beats us to the punch!

He also picked up on a bad habit of Sydney's. (Actually, Sydney got this from her Mommy, so I really can't be too hard on her.) Anytime Sydney sees a bug, ANY bug, she screams and yells "bug"! And, she runs away from wherever the bug is. (She's very afraid of bugs!) Nicholas has this routine down pat! When he sees a bug or even a piece of dirt (which I'm afraid he sees more than he should in our home!), he screams this little high-pitched squeal, yells "bug" and starts running in place. Not away from the bug (or dirt), just running in place right beside it! He puts on quite a show!

Thankfully, most of what he imitates is still very innocent. However, I know the day is coming when I'm going to be kicking myself when I watch him do something that I shouldn't have done myself in the first place!

Family Devotional Nights

About a year or so ago, Sammy & I attended a Focus on the Family seminar geared toward passing on a Godly heritage to your children. The speaker, Jim Weidmann, talked about the importance of passing on your Christian values and ideals to your children from the start. He gave some great examples and ideas to incorporate into your daily routine. The main idea Sammy & I took home was to start having a family devotional night once a week. The lessons Jim Weidmann presented as examples seemed like so much fun for kids and adults!

So, of course, we procrastinated for about a year, but we have finally committed to setting aside one evening a week for a family devotional. Our first devotional was last week and we discussed the story of David and Goliath. We made slingshots out of socks (I'm so glad I finally discovered something to do with all my socks that are missing a partner!) and shoestrings. We used marshmallows instead of rocks. And, we aimed our marshmallows at stuffed animals the kids lined up along the toybox. Then, after they got bored aiming at the animals, Sammy & I somehow became the target! Marshmallows were flying everywhere & Nicholas was picking them up & stuffing them in his mouth just as fast as he could! The kids had a blast and it really was fun getting to sit down with them for a little while to talk about the Bible.

The lessons Jim talks about in his books are easy and appropriate for small children. I ordered mine off Amazon, but I'm sure they can also be found in a Christian bookstore. If you are creative, then you can probably think of these fun ideas all on your own. But if you are like me and you do not have a creative bone in your body, then I highly recommend these devotional workbooks!

Multiplying Easter Grass

I have vacuumed, at the very least, once a day, EVERY day for the last week and I am still stepping on Easter grass!! Where is it all coming from and how come it won't go away? I think like bunnies, Easter grass must multiply in record numbers and I just can't keep up with it!

Now what?

What do you do when your 19 month old has pretty much outgrown size 6 diapers? I guess he'll be wearing Pull-Ups for a while, until he is fully trained.

And, speaking of potty training, he has been telling us when he needs to go potty. He'll say, "I poop" and we rush him to the closest toilet. The other day, he told me at Olive Garden, so we ran into their bathrooms & he certainly did need to go! I was so proud of him, but I still don't think we're close to being fully trained. Speaking from experience with the twins, I realize this task can take a while to complete! In the meantime, we'll be stocking up on Pull-Ups!

Easter Sunday

We had a fun Easter Sunday. The kids & I made it to church on time (a miracle!)... we came home & ate a wonderful lunch (that I stuck in the Crockpot at 4 am!)... went to an egg hunt after lunch... set up the pool & went swimming after the egg hunt... then went to a friend's house & played all evening long! It was a busy & fun day!

Best Picture Ever!

It is VERY difficult for me to capture such a precious picture of more than one kid at a time, so I was thrilled when I got this photo on Easter Sunday. I love it!!

Recovery Room

Sammy had a surgical procedure done yesterday in the doctor's office. It took about 45 minutes and he will be inactive for about 48 hours... except when he needs to visit the bathroom or brush his teeth. Otherwise, I am his maid, cook, caretaker and all around go-to person! It's worse than having a 4th kid! However, I did not post about this to complain. I wanted to have this next part in writing, because I will never forgive myself if I forget this...

A few days prior to the surgery, Sammy actually drew up engineering plans on a computer program at work to arrange our bedroom into his "recovery" room. (Since our flood situation, our bedroom has been vacant until we get new carpeting. Still waiting on the good ol' City of Richardson to come through for us!) So, he put down some plastic to cover the bare floors, then laid down an old comforter on top of the plastic to help absorb sound. (It echoes pretty loud in there without any flooring or furniture.) Next, he moved our recliner and all 4 TV trays in there. On one tray, he set up his laptop. On another, he set up his drinks and snacks. On the third, he set up our small television and hooked it up to the cable. On the fourth tray, he set up an XBox system that he borrowed the day before from his brother. It only gets worse...

On Thursday, he came home from work with an extra bag. When I opened the bag to see what was in it, I discovered that he borrowed a projector machine from work to set up in his room. I think the projector is actually having to share tray space with his XBox. Then, he hung up a solid white sheet over our red wall, so he could watch movies on the projector "screen". It's a wonder he hasn't blown a fuse with all the electrical appliances he has plugged into that room!

I commented to him that my recovery from my two surgeries weren't near this elegant or fun! Almost makes me wish I had surgery instead of him... almost, but not quite. But, if I ever do have to endure another surgery, PLEASE remind me about this post. I want a recovery room just like Sammy's!

(Oh, and did I mention that he also gets to take a high dosage pain medication without the added stress of wondering how it will affect a nursing baby? I am so envious!!)

Speaking of Easter...

Early last week, I went to Target to pick out the kids Easter clothes. When I got home, I was showing them to the kids and thought that this would be a great teachable moment. So, I began to tell them what Easter was all about... how Jesus rose into Heaven to be with God and how we will also be with God someday. They listened so carefully and seemed like they understood what I was trying to tell them. So, later that evening, at the dinner table, I asked Samuel to tell Daddy what Easter was all about. He responded, "Easter is about new clothes!"

This is why I never pursued a teaching career!

Easter Bunny

A friend was showing me her kids picture with the Easter Bunny and it dawned on me that I'm not even sure my kids know about the Easter Bunny. We always talk about how the Easter Bunny will come to visit on Easter morning & hide the eggs they've decorated, but I don't think they really pay attention to the fact that there could actually be a bunny in their home. I don't think they have ever seen it at the mall or anywhere else the Easter Bunny sets up for photos. And, I have never desired to get a picture of the kids with the Easter Bunny. I guess it's because I never had pictures with it growing up, so I don't really care to have my kids take pictures with an overgrown bunny either. However, once Christmas rolls around, I absolutely HAVE to have a picture of the kids sitting on Santa's lap. And, usually not just any old Santa, but the same one we have used for 3 or 4 years now. I guess that has become a little tradition for our family, so I'm pretty adamant about keeping at it. However, I could really do without seeing all these huge Easter Bunnies in the stores this time of the year. They really remind me of the Were-Rabbit in Wallace & Gromit's movie.

Gotta go start boiling my eggs for the decorating session this evening...

Puzzle Pro

Samuel and Sydney each got a puzzle from one of their friends for their birthday this year and they are really enjoying them. Now, these aren't the typical toddler puzzles, with the wooden board and pegs on each piece. These puzzles are the real deal... where you pull aside all the straight edge pieces first and work from the outside in. Granted, there are only 24 pieces, but it still seems like a huge task for a 4-year old. However, Samuel has mastered his Blues Clues puzzle like a champ! I was talking on the phone today when he kept asking me for help. I told him to wait just a few minutes and I'd help when I got off the phone. So, a few minutes (or more) later when I hung up the phone, I walked over to where he was working on his puzzle and he had all but 2 pieces in place. I was so proud of him! If you think about it, it takes a lot of patience and concentration to complete a puzzle. And, it's so neat to witness those traits in my oldest son.

Now Sydney... that's a whole other story! She still has time. She usually takes a little longer to catch onto certain things, like writing her name, sounding out her letters, completing a puzzle, etc. I have no professional experience to base this on, but I wonder if some teacher down the road might recommend ADD medication for her. I sure hope not and hope that this is just a stage she'll grow out of soon.

In the meantime, we are thrilled to experience this current accomplishment with the kiddos. In fact, Samuel completed the puzzle again tonight with Daddy as his audience. When he put the last piece in place, Sammy showered him with praises, then stood up to get the camera so he could capture the moment on film. However, Samuel had already started destroying his masterpiece in true boy fashion! So typical of my big boy!!

Happy Easter

After several unsuccessful attempts, this is the best photo I got of all three kids after the fashion show...

Fashion Show & Allergic Reaction

The kids took part in a spring fashion show over the weekend at Toys 'R Us. I supplied about half of the models!! They had tons of fun & really thought that they were hot stuff strutting around in new clothes.

They also got to hug Geoffrey's neck... while it was sitting on the floor of the dressing room! They didn't seem too upset that the rest of his body wasn't attached to his head.

This morning, Sammy took the twins to their 4-year check-up, where they got their last set of shots until the age of 10. They got the MMR vaccine and the Hepatitis A vaccine. I called Sammy on his way home to ask how everything went and he said it all went well, except that Sydney had just finished a severe sneezing attack. He said she was crying because she couldn't catch her breath and her eyes were red and watery. So, I hung up the phone and called the nurse to ask if this might be an allergic reaction to the vaccinations. I left a message, as usual. When Sammy and the kids got home, I took one look at Sydney and almost started crying myself. Her eyes and face were swollen and she had started to break out in a rash along her cheeks and jawline. She looked like a boxer, without the cuts and bruises. It scared the crud out of me! After one more call to her pediatrician (where I made sure I talked to a live person!), Sydney and I rushed back to his office. Thankfully, it was just a typical reaction that Benadryl could control. I am also extremely thankful that her throat didn't swell. I am fully aware that I do not handle emergency situations very well, so I am especially grateful this was not any more serious. What a day!

Evil Spiderman

Apparently, Spiderman has joined the dark side...

Another boo-boo...

I should have knocked on wood before posting about Nick's injuries. When I got home this evening, the kids wanted to play "Duck Duck Goose". So, we all sat down, including Nicholas, who likes to pat everyone's head and declare them the "goosh". When it was my turn to be the "goose", I touched Nick's forehead & felt a huge knot. After closer inspection, I noticed a large bruise & knot on the top of his forehead. Sammy informed me that while I was gone, he dived headfirst off the kitchen chair onto the tile floor. OUCH!! I'm should just go ahead and register with the closest ER so they can have our information on file. (Now, I really am knocking on wood!)

Bloomin' Roses!

My rose bush is in full bloom and I LOVE it! I get so excited when I see a beautiful rose blooming because it means that another year has gone by and I have managed to keep it alive! That is quite an accomplishment for me. I have a gorgeous pink rose bush on one side of the house and a yellow rose bush on the opposite side. (Shouldn't there be a law requring all Texans to have a yellow rose bush??) I'm hoping to add one or two more this spring. Seems that this might be one plant I can't kill!

OUCH!

I am convinced if we shaved Nick's hair off, his bald head would be covered with bruises! The poor kid falls ALL the time and bumps his head the majority of those times. Presently, he has a skinned knee, a scab on his foot, a scrape on the palm of his hand and a bruised finger from our walk this morning. If he were bald, I'm sure CPS would be knocking on our door as I type this! Poor little guy...

Noses

(I couldn't resist adding this picture of Nick & his nose at 6 months.)

Nicholas is fascinated with noses now. He says the word "nose" in a very nasally sort of way. HA! That seems a little ironic! (Or would it be redundant?) But, it's really cute watching him say it. He crinkles up his little pug nose while making the "n" sound. Too cute!

Yesterday, while Sammy & Samuel were getting haircuts, Sydney, Nick & I were sitting in the waiting area, looking at the magazines & the pictures on the wall. Nicholas started pointing to each nose on each hair model plastered on the wall. However, it wasn't enough to just look... he had to physically touch the picture of each nose. So, here I am, inside of SuperCuts, hoisting my hefty son up to each picture so he could touch each nose with his stubby little finger. I'm sure we got several strange looks. However, that's still better than listening to him throw a fit because he couldn't reach them.

Despite the strangeness of it all, I sure do love these quirky stages!

Time Change, Inside Man & More

First of all, we still have not recovered from losing that hour Sunday morning! I don't know why losing an hour is so hard on us, but from what my mom says, it's always been tough on me. I need more hours in the day, not less! Hopefully, tonight will be better for all of us.

Sammy & I saw Inside Man the other evening. We both enjoyed it. However, I LOVED the theme song for it. It's called "Chaiyya Chaiyya Bollywood Joint" and it's a really excellent song! I'm usually not a huge fan of Indian music, but I would download this in a heartbeat, if I could. Unfortunately, iTunes doesn't offer it for sale as a single & I'm really not interested in the entire soundtrack. There were several requests on the iTunes site to download this one song only, so maybe they will soon offer it by itself.

The kids talked about baby chicks today at school. They were telling me all about them on the way home and eventually, we got around to singing "Old Macdonald". We sang about chicks, cows, horses and pigs. On the 5th verse, I asked the kids what else lived on a farm. While they were thinking, I suggested sheep. Samuel replied, "Sheep don't live on a farm. They live in Heaven with Jesus." So, I asked him where a lamb lived & he told me that lambs lived on a farm, so we were able to sing about them on Old Macdonald's farm. It's funny to see how their little minds work.

Lastly, I am really enjoying saving money by playing the Grocery Game! I got LOADS of cleaning supplies last night, several freezer meals that Sammy can take to work and other necessities. My original total was $150 something... after my Tom Thumb discount card, my total went down to $80 something... then after all my coupons, my total went down to $61!! I saved 59% of my total bill! How awesome is that? Plus, I got lots of cleaning supplies and dental products at rock bottom prices, so we are stocked up on those! I'm finally hitting the point where I just need to maintain my pantry. I've built up my stockpile and I'm able to use what I have in there. Mostly, I really enjoy the saving money part!! Who wouldn't?!?

Gotta run... another tea party is in full swing & my attendance is demanded!

Thank Goodness for Sammy!

After listening to an acquaintance complain about his wife (she doesn't clean, cook or help out... so he says), I started realizing how thankful I am for my husband's help. Before we had kids, I worked a full-time job outside of the house. So, when it came time to cook and clean, it was just understood that we would split these chores. Sammy did most of the cooking, because he enjoys it and is MUCH better at it than I am. And, I don't mind doing the dishes afterward. I prefer to sort, wash and fold the laundry, but I HATE putting it away. Sammy doesn't mind that part. I will dust and vacuum... Sammy will clean the bathrooms. This is always how we have worked (for the most part). After the kids were born and we made the decision that I would stay at home, this routine continued. I am thankful that he realizes that even though I am at home with the kids, I am still holding down a full-time job. I often forget to say it, but thanks for all your help, Sammy!

HI!

Nicholas is one of "those" kids. You know the type... they have to say "hi" or "bye" until the person they are talking to responds back. He'll pick out one person at the grocery store, the restaurant, at church or at the twins' preschool and say the appropriate greeting over & over until he gets the same greeting returned to him. The other night, we ate dinner at Fuddruckers. While we were sitting down eating, an employee starts refilling the napkin receptacles that are located on each table. She's getting closer to the empty tables surrounding us. (Our "rule" when we all go out to eat... we should always look for a table far away from the other customers. Otherwise, we'll run them outta the place!) Once she's within earshot, Nicholas starts waving and softly says, "Hi". The employee either doesn't hear or is trying to ignore him. He says it again and again, no reply. And, again and again. By this time, she has passed our table & has gone on to the empty table on the other side of us. After a few more "hi"s, which got a little bit louder each time, she finally turns to look at him and says "hi" back. YEA!! He has made progress and can now move on to his next conquest. Honestly, the boy does not give up! He's persistent with his greetings! I wonder what this says about him?

Lacking Faith

Why do I feel like we're getting kicked while we're already down? I was telling Sammy this evening that I know in my heart that God will take care of us, but for some reason or another, I CANNOT convince myself to stop worrying and let Him take over.

We experienced flood damage with the most recent rains, which quickly turned to sewage damage. (Thank you very much, city of Richardson!) The flat tire we had on the way home from Belton blew out again last night while we were running errands. (Thankfully, Firestone replaced it at no cost to us. But, it was still a huge pain!) The Kiwi carpet cleaners that have been visiting us regularly since Monday told us we would need 2 additional dehumidifiers in our home to dry the cement underneath the damaged carpet quicker. (We already have 3 that have been running nonstop since Tuesday morning.) So, they brought in the 2 large machines today, plugged one in & blew a fuse. They tried plugging it in 2 more times & the same thing happened each time. Scratch that plan. We'll just all dehumidify for longer! Tomorrow, they are ripping up the carpet in our bedroom & hallway. Today, they tested the baseboards for a humidity reading & they all read at 100%. So, they will also be taking out the baseboards & testing underneath those. I'm almost positive the wall beneath will be ruined, as well.

Meanwhile, the city of Richardson has told us to go ahead & either get the work done (taking a chance that they might pay for it) or just get estimates and turn those in to the Claims Department. But, this is not something that we can just get an estimate for & wait to see if they will pay for the work... so, we pretty much have to get it done & pray that it will be covered. I'm so frustrated & worried & tired & irritated & just generally ticked off that this is happening. Sammy really tries to help me see the positive side of things (we still have a house, we are healthy, our kids are happy, we have good jobs), but I think I'm experiencing an enormous lack of faith. I want answers & I want them now! I want things done & I want them done now! I don't want to wait for God's timing. I'm not that patient.

However, as I said earlier, I honestly do know that God will take care of us. I know that His ways are better than mine and that it won't do me any good to worry about the future. Why can't I convince myself of this, then, when things get rough?

Tea Party

Sydney got her very first tea party set last night. I'm pretty sure most little girls have already had several tea parties by the age of 4, but Sydney is just now catching up. We had a tea party last night before bedtime & even conned Daddy & Samuel to join in. (The pretend cake & donut was really what lured them in!) It's cute to watch her, because she is really enjoying serving us tea in the pretty little cups. She holds the cups & plates so carefully & daintily. (Is "daintily" even a word??) And, she turns into such a "girly" girl when she serves us... talking in a sweet, high pitched voice & being so gentle with everything. I love the toys that entice kids to use their imaginations & this tea set has definitely accomplished that.

I can't wait for our next tea party after school today!

Big Boy Bed

I can't believe my 18 month old is already in a big boy bed! We didn't move the twins into beds until they were 22 months old. And, even then, all we did was take the side railing off the crib until they got used to the idea. We had to do that out of necessity... Samuel was climbing out of his crib & getting stuck at the top of the railing. However, with Nicholas, we just took down his crib temporarily to set up the bed for guests. But, he loves his big bed, goes down easily in it, hasn't tried to escape (yet!) and stays there until it is time to wake up in the morning. So, we decided to go ahead & leave it in his room. I knew it was just a matter of time before we would have had to set it up again anyway, so I guess this saves us some trouble later on down the road. It just makes him seem so much more older now... which, in turn, makes me a little sad. I'm not ready for my baby to grow up!

Birthday Party

The twins had a fun birthday party at Encouragym! Here are some pictures that my sister & nephew took...

Samuel enjoying his Batman cake:

Sydney enjoying her Barbie cake (and Kool-Aid, it seems!):

Nicholas having a blast!


The kids having fun on the bouncy slide:

And, last, but not least... Mom & Dad going down the bouncy slide:

Home Sweet Home

Well, after leaving Belton around midnight... a flat tire at 2:15 am... and rain the entire way... we finally made it home very early this morning at 3 am! All to avoid the Sunday spring break traffic! And, when Mom called this morning to tell me that traffic in Bastrop was bumper to bumper, we realized that it was, in fact, worth the tiring drive home last night. We're glad to be home, cozy & warm, instead of on those very slick roads. Just coming into Dallas, we passed 4 wrecks... at 3 in the morning!!! Some were multiple vehicles, some were single cars that had spun out of control. At first, I thought maybe we didn't have any traction on our tires, because we kept hydroplaning and skidding on the highway. Then, when I saw all the wrecked cars, I realized it just must be the super slick roads. Needless to say, I was going slow & had both hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. I got honked at once (again at 3 in the morning... what were they thinking?!?) for going too slow in the left hand lane while passing a wreck on the right. Dallas drivers are insane!

We had a great time visiting Mom & Dad and can't wait to go back again. When we do, though, I'm going to remember the Benadryl and the breathing machine. Those Central TX allergies are the worst!!

Life on the Farm

We're spending a few days at Mimi & Papa's house while Sammy is filming a basketball festival in Belton. The kids are having a blast & getting dirtier than they have ever been in their short life! Papa scattered corn to entice the wild turkey to come close to the house, but three kids & 2 dogs were a little too noisy for that this morning. (These turkeys get spooked easily!) So, they are anxiously awaiting to see the turkeys in the morning. We walked up & down the farm road... got tangled in dangling spider webs... watched buzzards chowing down on some poor, deceased creature... waved at a dump truck that passed by a few times and threw dust in our faces... and swung on the swings hanging from the oak trees.




I know this area needs rain desperately, but the kids were glad that the threatening clouds did not produce any today. Wait until we leave & then let the rain come!

This farm life suits us all very well! Sure wish we could live closer, but we'll just have to make the most of our visits to the farm!

Four Years Ago...

Four years ago today, I was spending my very first day at home with the twins, Sydney & Samuel. They turned 4 on Sunday, March 12, and I can hardly believe it! How can it already have been that long ago? I remember the feeling of shock when I found out I was pregnant with 2 precious babies... and then the feeling of sheer joy & excitement when it was discovered I was carrying a boy and a girl. That was about 4 years and 4 months ago. And, I vividly remember the sonographer carefully studying the screen of the Level 2 sonogram on March 11th. He was very silent and very somber. He tried "buzzing" Samuel several times with his little vibrator instrument to get Samuel to move or respond. He turned me over on one side, then the other. He buzzed some more. He studied the screen. He pushed on Samuel with both hands. Then, he finally turned to Sammy & I and said, "I think we should go ahead and get them out." HUH?!? Like today?? I was totally unprepared for that! But, I was so ready to meet my sweet babies... and to not look like a beached whale anymore! Turns out, Miss Piggy Sydney was sucking all the nourishment away from Samuel. To this day, she can out-eat him in just about anything! So, after 24 hours of labor, we met Sydney & Samuel. Sydney arrived first after a few easy pushes & then Samuel decided it would be fun to join the Cirque du Soleil in utero! He flipped around and caused us quite a scare. When his little heartrate plummeted, the docs decided a C-section would be safer for all involved. So, 25 minutes later, Samuel decided to grace us with his presence.

And, that was all 4 years ago! WOW! These have been absolutely the best 4 years of my life!!

And the winner is...

Samuel snuggled in the recliner next to me last night to watch some of the Academy Awards show. He especially liked it when they showed clips of the animated films. He loves watching Wallace & Gromit, so he was excited to see that clip. So, this morning, I thought it was pretty cute when he started "judging" his toys. He was playing with some cars and announced, "And, the winner is monster truck!" Then, he turned to me and said, "And, the winner is Mommy!" Eventually, his dad, brother, sister and even himself were declared winners. Most of his toys were winners, also. I love these times in our day, when everything is perfect and we're all winners... atleast according to Samuel!

No No!

We've hit the stage where Nicholas is now pointing his index finger back at us & telling us "no no". This is funny & annoying, all at the same time. It's annoying because he'll do something that he absolutely knows is wrong, look at me, point that index finger at me & say "no no". He's basically punishing himself, but that finger is directed at me. Which makes it pretty darn funny! He's imitating exactly what we do.

I now have 3 little copycats running around this house!

I LOVE Spring!

Technically, spring may not have arrived just yet, but this weather is certainly acting that way. And, I love it!! We've been outside all morning long & just came inside for a snack. Nicholas said he wanted some "bapples", so he grabbed a tomato out of the fridge & handed it to me. He would have been in for quite a surprise if I had given him a slice of that tomato! Instead, I cut up an apple for the kids. He was so excited about it! (Come to think of it, he gets really excited about most food! He's just like his mommy!)

Which reminds me of another reason I love this season... fruit tastes so much better in the spring & summer. YUM!! I love going to the Farmer's Market & buying my produce there this time of year. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. When I was pregnant with Nicholas, my biggest craving was homegrown, vine-ripe tomatoes. I didn't like the leathery kind they sell in the grocery stores. It had to be blood red & sweet. My mom has a friend back home that grew tomatoes in his garden & he sent some up my way to help satisfy my craving. When I ran out of those (it only took about a day!), I went to the Farmer's Market in Plano & stocked up there. And, I made several more visits that summer! I ate TONS of tomatoes covered in salt! They were delicious!

Hmmmm... now that I'm remembering that, maybe that's why Nicholas handed me the tomato in the fridge. Maybe he would have liked it after all.