Obsessions and Confessions

December - What a Fabulously Fancy Title!

2011-12-29T23:22:00.004-06:00

Well, folks (or maybe I'm just typing to myself at this point)...I may never catch up with all the posts I wanted to post from the summer and beyond. But I really don't want to stop blogging. What to do, what to do?

Move on.

Moving on....

December! December was a busy, crazy, wonderful, hectic, fantastic month for us. Well, maybe I'll dip back into November just a little...okay? Okay! Papa and Nanny paid us a visit for Thanksgiving. Here are some fun photos from their trip:

Cocoa Puff helped make the table festive!

My attempt at being crafty and decorative.

NOT a Pecan Pie...close, but it's a Macadamia Nut Pie. OH. My. Goodnes!

Pretty Table

Yummy Turkey. Much better than last year's!

Happy family

Can you feel the love?

We went to SeaWorld

Nanny and the girls on a ride

Papa and Cocoa Puff on the Merry Go Round....Papa looks like he's having a blast!

The girls were tired by this point...but it's still a cute photo

Now, really on to December:

Cocoa Puff danced in her fourth dance recital. She's such a cute little dancer! And the recitals are really fun.

This year, she chose to do Hip Hop. She had fun. I miss the pretty tutu costumes. Look at my Sassy girl with her friend B.

Attitude face :-)

Santa even made it to the recital!

Christmas Eve...

Christmas morning...two very excited girls!

Oh, my that's a very large dollhouse! (Didn't realize that when I was ordering it)

Our handsome feline, Trix!

Nevermind those presents at the front...I want the one all the way behind the tree. Cheerio is constantly making us laugh.

Cheerio looks so sweet in this photo. Cocoa Puff is her mother's daughter :-)

I really love this one....

Cocoa Puff, Cheerio and Fruit Loop!

Okay, here is a sweet face.

Nope, back to silly. Actually this is her "scary" face. I don't know about scary...all I want to do is kiss it.

Cocoa Puff was in a very kissy mood today. Cheerio can only take so much.

My sweet, sweet girls :-)

And that is all she wrote.

Unless you count the Obsessions and Confessions

Obsession: PINTEREST. Shame on the person responsible for thinking up pinterest....it really is a love/hate relationship. I won't even go into how much time I spend pinning.

Confession: I took a three hour nap on the couch on Christmas Day. (Cap'N Crunch just informed me it was three hours and fifteen minutes...not that he was counting :-) He didn't wake me up though) It was the most decadent nap I've had in a long time. I needed it. Yet, I still feel a little guitly for sleeping so long.

School's Out For Summer......

2011-06-10T15:26:00.003-05:00

Well, we've been out for almost a month now, but I'm just now getting around to writing about it.

This school year was great all around. I had awesome kiddos: one super sixth-grader, ten crazy middle school girls (and I mean crazy in the best sense of the word...but, well, they are in middle school! I was crazy then too...weren't we all?), and ten wonderful high school Algebra II students.

Cocoa Puff loved every minute of preschool. Her teacher, Ms. Allena, was fantastic. Cheerio didn't have a great start to the school year. She cried all morning for the first three weeks....but then she warmed up. And thank goodness because it broke my heart everyday. Her teacher, Ms. Susie...I cannot say enough about her. Ms. Susie was Fabulous :-) We were so blessed with great teachers this year...may future years be as great! Thank you ladies for teaching my girls and for loving them.

The girls were able to dress up for the last day of school! They each picked out their ensembles...

Sweet sisters

Cocoa Puff's friends

Cheerio's friends

I made cupcakes to celebrate Cocoa Puff's birthday...I do not have a future in cupcake decorating - they were yummy though!

Oh, my goodness :-)

Someone LOVES Mommy's icing

The fabulous Ms. Susie...doesn't she just look like a preschool teacher?

Ms. Susy put together a "water day" for the preschool classes...this was the doll clothes laudromat!

This was the car wash....

One of Cheerio's friends thought she would wash herself :-)

Cheerio did not think washing clothes and cars was fun. My girl does NOT like to get messy...unless it's her idea

Cocoa Puff thinking how to play in the shaving cream!

And this is what my students do with their freetime...hopefully not during classtime

Our babysitter, Ms. Malarie...she graduated this year and is going away to college. We are going to miss her.

And that was all I wrote....

But wait! Since I haven't done an obsession or confession in awhile, I will do one before I go.

Confession: We have adopted a new kitty. He has at least ten different names because every time we see him Cap'N Crunch or the girls give him a new one. Here are the names: Creepy, Spooky, Black cat, spunky, Spiky, Spunkilicious, and the list goes on. Maybe one day we'll all agree on a name...but for now he is the kitty boy with many names :-)

Have a great weekend.

Fun with Friends

2011-05-29T13:39:00.002-05:00

We have been blessed with the greatest friends! Cap'N Crunch and I are so happy to have found families we can have fun with...enjoy!

In April, we went strawberry picking with the C Family...T, G, M and W. The kiddos had a great time and so did the adults :-)

This girl is the sweetest funniest girl! And don't you love her pose?

You picked a good one!

Wow! The goal for picking was "The redder the better"

"Ha haha Ha! I wear my Daddy out!"

"Can I help you?"

Just having a conversation...

Pals

What a group :-)

Waiting for the Mommies to finish looking in the frilly pink store...

Making faces after eating yummy cookies

Entertaining accordian player

One night in May, we met the C family along with the A family at The Salt Lick. Pretty stinkin' good BBQ! And we had a great time.

Cap'N Crunch and N waiting for our table....

Our table is ready!

A very quiet table...everyone was focused on dessert

In May, we we invited to a pool party for a little boy in Olivia's class. She has some great school friends.

For Easter, I co-hosted an Easter Egg Hunt with H for our MOPS group.

Have you ever seen a cuter way to "Stop and smell the jasmine"?

My cheerio is very into dressing herself these days....that's all I have to say.

NAP TIME!

"Um..you don't really think I am going to go to sleep, do you?"

And a May trip to the zoo with these cute friends!

I could not resist this cheeky shot...this one will go in the file labeled Photos for Later!

And a sad last playdate with this cute fella...his family is moving :-(

Before swimming, we had a pool wash...similar to a car wash! The kids had so much fun they didn't even know they were working :-)

Just add water for fun!

What do you get when you add water to dirt? Fun of course...and two dirty girls ;-)

We have many more great friends...unfortunately I do not take photos everywhere, all the time. I will have more "Fun with Friends" posts in the future.

Fabulous Day - No Photos

2011-05-01T22:35:00.003-05:00

I usually do not post without photos. Today is the exception. Today was too great of a day to not journal about.

It started with two sweet girls cuddling with their Mommy.

Next I got a phone call from Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch...who just had a sweet baby boy. (He will be called Sweet Baby Boy at least until I meet him to decide his nickname.) Aunt CTC wanted advice. The advice involved having to look at an emailed photo of Sweet Baby Boy...what torture. People - he is the cutest thing since I don't know what! I am in love already. And to top it off, I got to hear him making sweet baby noises while I was talking to Aunt CTC. Bliss!

After my wonderful phone call, we went to breakfast. I might have spilled a beverage all over Cap'N Crunch. And if I had done that, I most certainly would NOT have laughed....which would have made Cap'N Crunch really mad at me. (In my defense, I didn't mean to laugh...it was a nervous reflex.) So, breakfast did not go as planned.

I have been wanting to go to Milberger's Nursery forever. Today was the day I got to go! There will be more trips to the nursery in the very near future :-) We bought some monkey grass and mulch. Baby steps....I wanted to buy one, or two, of everything.

The whole family worked in the yard for a couple hours. The girls helped a little but mostly played. I fufilled the request to have a picnic on the front lawn. They ate while the Cap'N and I worked. Then Cap'N Crunch chased them around the yard....for this I wanted a camera - still or video would have been great! Watching three of my favorite people laugh and have fun is the best feeling in the world.

Once Cocoa Puff and Cheerio were covered head to toe in dirt, I lead them inside to be showered. The three of us got clean so we could go shopping. I have a student who works at an accessory store near our house. I have been telling her we would come in...today was the day. The girls each got a fancy headband and I left with new sparkly "flop flops" - as Cheerio calls them. We also walked through Old Navy...and left with a bag or two.

On our way to the grocery store, Cocoa Puff and I had this conversation:

Cocoa Puff: "Mom, I love Train with love from my heart." (Train is the band that sings "Hey, Soul Sister" among many others)

Me: "You are such a sweet girl."

Cocoa Puff: "I have never gotten to see them close up though." (We took her to see them in concert in February)

Me: "It's hard to see them close up..." and before I could think of a reason why...

Cocoa Puff: "Let's have a playdate with them."

Me: "Umm...I don't think that will be able to happen sweetie."

Cocoa Puff: "Why?"

Me: "Because they make a lot of money to have playdates." ???

Cocoa Puff: "Maybe one day."

Cocoa Puff - never give up your dreams!

Our day ended with hot dogs grilled by Cap'N Crunch and two tired girls sleeping in Cocoa Puff's bed.

Texas Bluebonnets

2011-04-27T22:18:00.003-05:00

I LOVE bluebonnets! And this year the most amazing patch of them found us one day when I was totally prepared....camera and dresses were loaded in the car!

Enjoy our bluebonnet photo shoot...

This was the first photo of the day....just sitting and admiring the beautiful flowers!

What can I say about this one?

Sisters

This girl is a natural. She poses for me without even being asked.

This girl is a little more difficult...Cheerio and her many faces :-)

One of her favorite faces....

And these bluebonnets popped up in our backyard one day! Nice surprise.

Kitchen Remodel

2011-04-23T22:23:00.002-05:00

In February Cap'N Crunch and I decided it was time to tackle the kitchen. The flooring was at least 25 years old.

We went to Home Depot and Lowe's looking for the perfect flooring. We found it. As soon as we got home with it, I started pulling up the old yucky floor. While sitting on the floor, I started thinking "Maybe we should paint the cabinets before we put the new floor down?" Cap'N Crunch said, "Okay, I guess."

Off to the home improvement stores....found the right paint color after much agonizing. Got all the supplies we needed: paint brushes, sand paper, primer, and more sand paper.

During the sanding process, the Cap'N and I had a small (ha! large) altercation. We both realized that we had bitten off more than could be chewed in a weekend - the original goal. Once we settled down, we got back to work.

Fast forward a month and the kitchen is done. Now, let me say that during the month we had a visit from a very helpful Papa and Nanny. Without them, we would probably still be living in an unfinished kitchen...we will never know!

Lessons learned from the 2011 Kitchen Remodel:

Sanding your skin does not make it smoother. It was an accident, but yes, I did sand my skin.

Dust makes it way into every room when you sand indoors.

Finish the original project before deciding to refinish the dining room table.

It is only "fun" to picnic on the living room floor for so long.

It is really not a good idea to take on any kind of remodeling less than two weeks before having visitors.

Peeling/prying up old laminate flooring will result in a grumpy husband.

It is not smart to aim a sharp object towards your body and then hit said sharp object with a hammer. The sharp object will draw blood and result in pain.

Remodeling is like having a baby...Labor is painful. Then you meet your beautiful new perfect baby and you forget all about the pain.

Tell all your friends to forbid you to remodel anything for at least a year.

The table before...yuck!

Notice all of the groves....they were a crumb magnet.

Papa andCheerio doing some plumbing

Cheerio loves her Papa :-)

Nanny helping with the cabinets

Cap'N Crunch sanding the cabinets

Finally the after! Can you believe that is the same table? Do you like the two-tone cabinets?

Can you see the turquiouse cabinet knob on the second door? What do you think?

Well, that's it for tonight. I will post soon with some photos of the girls. We found an amazing patch of bluebonnets this year!

Happy Easter, y'all!

The day Cocoa Puff bribed her Mommy....

2011-03-20T22:41:00.003-05:00

It's been so long since I've posted that I had trouble remembering the web address I needed to type in to get here....

Here's a fun story for you until I get my hienie in gear with some photos.

I took the girls to the grocery store today.

No big deal, right? Ha ha!

First let me say that no naps were had by either small person, we had just finished shopping at Lowe's and we were all hungry.

Cocoa Puff wanted everything under the grocery store roof: donuts, tortillas, cookies, cereal,

And the straw that broke the camel's back was a '5' candle for her upcoming birthday (which I would not have minded except that it was not the prettiest candle...so I told her I wanted to find a prettier one.) She all but threw herself on the floor. I remained very calm. Okay, well, fairly calm.

I started to walk to the next aisle which usually works. Instead a very nice woman thought she was crying because she was lost. She tried to take her hand and bring her up front...I thought that was a little funny. When I told the lady what was happening, she gave me an 'I've been there look' and said, "I have three of my own."

We get the rest of our stuff and start heading to the check out when I make my fatal mistake. I walked down the ice cream aisle. Cocoa Puff stops to pick the ice cream she wants. I tell her we are not getting ice cream and to come on. The tears start falling harder (because they have been falling ever since the candle incident). She refuses to walk. I suppose I could have just picked her up and carried her to the check out. But by this point I was in no mood to carry a 39 pound child.

We stare at each other for about 3 minutes. Then she opens the freezer door, picks out a tub of ice cream and tells me, "I will go with you if I can have this ice cream."

I know now that I should not have laughed, but I did. Did my child just try to bribe me?

I did not let her have the ice cream.

And that was the story of the time Cocoa Puff tried to bribe her Mommy....

Sew exciting!

2011-02-04T22:33:00.002-06:00

Cheesy title - I know! But I am so (I resisted to urge to spell it the other way!) in love with sewing :-) I have always aspired to sew things for myself and my girls.

I have bins of fabric and patterns. And that's after getting rid of more than half of it!

A year ago, I started sewing a robe for Cocoa Puff. I could not find a cute one in her size, so off I went to the fabric store. I bought a pattern and some really cute cupcake fleece. Cocoa Puff was very excited. I cut out the pattern, cut out the fabric, sewed the front pieces and then I stopped for the day. I thought I would finish it up later that week....

Fast forward a year.

THE ROBE IS FINISHED!!!

Okay, rewind just a little.

I made a list of all my unfinished projects. The list is on the refridgerator.

It is a long list :-( But since most of the projects are at least started it shouldn't take me long too finish each one. My goal is to finish one project a week....totally do-able!

Okay, back to the robe - sort of. A little over a week ago, I took a sewing class at Joann's. It was very worth the time and money. Not only did I gain some basic skills, I gained confidence....much needed! I made this pillowcase in the class. I am trying to talk Cocoa Puff into letting me turn it into a dress...but she loves sleeping on it every night.

Back to the robe...I decided that it was the oldest unfinished project so it would be first to be finished. And it was a great choice!

Cocoa Puff couldn't be happier. It's been pretty chilly here the last couple of days. She has slept in the robe every night. I tried to tell her that people don't really sleep in their robes, but she didn't listen - she is 4 afterall :-)

A helper...he likes to attack the thread.

It's a good thing he's so cute or else...Oh, who am I kidding. I love this handsome kitty boy!

And my sweet, happy girl in her new robe.

Cheerio did not want to be left out of the photo taking!

Hmmm?

2010-12-21T09:14:00.010-06:00

So, I have been horrible at blogging. I took on three classes this year instead of the one I did last year. I love teaching and I really love the group of kiddos I have this year. I have been so blessed with this opportunity....just wanted to say why I haven't been blogging, well at least that is one of the reasons.

It is really overwhelming to think about all the posts I have wanted to write and haven't...then I wanted to go back and write those posts to catch up...but instead I will do it all in one post - a year in review....so get ready! This post will contain way too many photos and probably too much typing....but I need to preserve the memories from this year because it was a super fantastic one for our family.

Now, where to start?

We were briefly growing sunflowers in April. This is as far as they got...but it was fun.

Cocoa Puff turned 4 in May...

She loves:

Her Mommy and Daddy
Her sister, Cheerio
All things Hello Kitty
Clothes, shoes and accessories...the girl is stylin'
Her family....every one of you!
Her friends - even the "minute" friends (you know, the ones you meet at the grocery store, the park or anywhere else she goes)
School
Dancing - ballet more than tap

All about Cocoa Puff at 4

Height - about 42 inches (I think) feet Weight - 38lbs
Has the kindest heart you will ever find.
Loves to cuddle.
Is a stinker...you know, in a good way :-)
Wants to live at home forever! Even after she "has a baby." I told her her husband might not like that...she said she would "get one that wouldn't mind." Hee hee.
Loves being outside...swinging, running, playing soccer, you name it - she loves it.

And we had a visit from Granma and Granpa - click here to read that post.

In June, we:

*Attended Cocoa Puff's very first dance recital!

Cocoa Puff and her dance friends waiting to practice.

Dress rehearsal - the girls were entertained with a movie. Good thinking P for bringing the dvd player!

Cocoa Puff after the dress rehearsal...very excited.

And this is Cocoa Puff's excited face!

Some more dance friends.

After the real performance. Cocoa Puff was so excited that D and his mommy, Ms. A came to watch her!

The little dancer and her very proud Mommy :-)

*We said farewell to some very good friends. Cocoa Puff and N have been "friends" for over three years! Which means N's mommy, V, and I have been friends for over three years too...sad good-byes. We will see you soon....have a fun new adventure.

Cocoa Puff and N (I really love this photo...maybe it will be used at a wedding one day? ha ha!)

*Had a visit from Nanny. Click here to read that post.

Beautiful flowers from Ana...they really helped. Thank you Ana :-)

*took a trip to the zoo....and it was hot.

Cute hippo was socializing with the kiddos.

Our zoo has a "beach" area that we love to play at in the summer.

Miss cutie tutie herself - Cheerio!

Random yard photo...our grass was so green this summer.

And Cheerio discovered pockets are a great place to put things...unless you pack them too full. Then your pants fall down!

*went strawberry picking with friends Ms.A and D.

Yum!
Cheerio just couldn't resist.

Ms.A and D

After the strawberry picking, we drove into Fredericksburg for lunch.

In July, I celebrated National Ice Cream Month(Did you know such a great thing existed?) by hosting an Ice Cream Social in my backyard...

I hand-dipped these little ice cream cones then coated them in sprinkles and colored sugar...I think they were pretty stinkin' cute, don't you? You can bet you'll see them again :-)

And I have to give credit to the wonderful photographer...Ana. Thank you for taking these photos and editing them!

The kiddos played in the water to cool off.

Miss Cheerio

Miss Cocoa Puff

I think someone may have been getting a "talking to" in this photo...thanks Ana for taking it :-)

Making new friends...such a sweet thing!

More pool play

They were a slidin' except they weren't....maybe they were talking about who should go first?

Playing house

Miss Cocoa Puff enjoying her ice cream cone

Olivia's friend from MOPS

Mr. C - that was good!

D eating his cone.

Does this photo even need words? Isn't he adorable!

Oh, so sweet!

"Why are you taking my picture? I am TRYING to eat this delicious ice cream!"

We also celebrated National Ice Cream Month by making homemade ice cream sandwiches.
This is Cocoa Puff helping me make the cookies. Don't you love her baking accessories?

Oh, my....I am starting to get hungry for an ice cream sandwich. They were double chocoalte cookies with mint chocolate chip ice cream.

We had a visit from the L family. They drove all the way from Florida to see us. Read about there trip here.

The girls and I took a trip to Florida in July. We sadly left Cap'N Crunch at home...we managed to have a little fun while we were staying with Nanny and Papa.

Cocoa Puff and Cheerio with their cousin R eating "Pinkalicious" cookies - for BREAKFAST!

Cheerio was very excited to be on the "big girl" tire swing. Mommy was a little less excited...can you say nervous?

Granma drove to have dinner with us. Granpa wanted to come but he was feeling yucky. Thank you Granma for dinner! All three girls enjoyed see you.

On our way back to Texas, our plane was delayed in Charolette, North Carolina....overnight. I was a little overwhelmed but decided to stay positive and remain calm. Thank goodness. We ended up making the best of it and even having a little fun!

SLEEPOVER! The girls love to sleep together.

And aren't they cute sleeping together?

This is just before we left the hotel for the airport.

One last photo for July....our little sassy cowgirl!

In August,

Cocoa Puff started Pre-school. That post is here. She is really loving it. She asks me everyday when we are going to school next. Cap'N Crunch and I are so grateful that she loves school so much.

We also had our last visitor during our "Summer of Visitors" Tour! Uncle Sam was our last visitor of the summer...and a great guest. We really enjoyed having him. Read about it here.

I'm sure we did more in August, but those are the highlights.

At the end of September, we took a two week trip to Florida. We drove. (gasp!) I must say that if we ever drive that far again we will need to have a larger vehicle. A four-door car is not sufficient room for two adults and two children. This vacation should really have its own post, but I'm afraid I will never get it done....so here are the highlights. I tried to narrow the photos down. I took somewhere around 4100 photos.

After spending twenty minutes trying to figure out which photos to post and which ones to skip, I decided I am just going to have to write a post specifically about our trip...two weeks is a long time and 4100 photos...WOW! So, maybe I'll get around to it in March? (Hopefully before then, but you never know)

While we were in Florida, Cheerio celebrated her second birthday...Happy Birthday Cheerio!

Cheerio at 2

Sweetest little girl...she will melt your heart with one glance
Not the least bit stubborn (that was dripping with sarcasm!)
Loves her sister with a passion
Is a "Daddy's Girl" all the way!
Has an agenda of her own...please do not deviate from her agenda - or else!
Is beginning to like pre-school, but she loves Ms. Susie (her teacher)
Height - short weight - changes every day - somedays she wants to eat some days she does not
Has a shoe obsession - seriously. But if she doesn't "like" the shoe...don't even try to get it on her foot. Currently she is liking a pair of orange crocs. Oh, yes...ORANGE! She wears them everywhere with everything...everyday!

In October, we continued our vaction. When we got home, we unpacked and took our time getting settled in. Our cat missed us. Thank you E for taking care of him while we were gone.

And of course we dressed up for Halloween and attended several festivities!
Cocoa Puff, after much deliberation, decided to be a fairy princess.

Cheerio the Octopus

We even had the opportunity to meet Curious George :-)

Cheerio and her friend L

The two wonderful hosts of the most amazing Halloween Party....this is our second year attending. So much fun....

Cheerio with a cookie on a stick

In November, Cap'N Crunch was wisked away to Austin for business. We really missed him, but managed to stay busy...plus we were able to visit him. I didn't take many photos of us visiting because we had so little time - I just wanted to enjoy the time we had. Here are a few things I did take photos of....

I made worm cupcakes for Cocoa Puff's preschool class for "W" day. The cupcakes were a success.

Friends of ours - T, G, M, and W went to Wurstfest with us. Fun was had by all!

T even took the three biggest kids on the spinning bear ride...

And on a trip to Austin, we saw Santa. Cocoa Puff was in awe. Santa remembered Cocoa Puff and asked her about her birthday. They had a nice long chat.

Fast Friends...

This child of mine, on the other hand, was not so sure about the big guy. Isn't this face pretty cute? "You want me to sit where?" "No THANK YOU!" Oh, well. Maybe next year.

And we took photos for the Christmas card....Here the best ones are.

Making their very best "mad" faces

Christmas tree hunting

In December, well, we celebrated. Keith was returned to us at the end of the second week....distance does in fact make the heart grow fonder.

Oh, yeah! Not only did I get some great photos for our card - I got them out near the beginning of December!

Cocoa Puff had her second dance recital...her class danced to "Up on the Housetop" They did an amazing job.

We had a party at our house after the recital. It was great really getting to know the other parents and seeing the girls play - not just dance.

Mommom and Buck drove to see us. We made our way down to the Riverwalk to see the lights. We all had a great time.

A very happy Cocoa Puff!

We went to a birthday party...Happy Birthday M! It was a cooking party. Both girls had a fantastic time making pizza and decorating cupcakes.
Cheerio and her pal W.

Cocoa Puff showing off her creation

And of course, we had a holiday version of Flapjack Friday...cute snowgirl flapjacks!

Creating a snowflake mosaic with her friend D.

Cheerio chillin' in the stroller because she can't be trusted around breakables...hee hee sweet girl

And a random park photo....sweet sisters.

Making our gingerbread house. I do believe Cheerio tried to taste everything :-)

Making sugar cookies...we had so much fun during our night of baking! I don't know why Cocoa Puff has "wild eyes"???

The "this is what your gingerbread house should look like" photo and the actual gingerbread house...our is definitely a home!

Christmas Eve dinner - our friends E, T, T, I, and G came over for dinner. What a great way to spend Christmas Eve. We all had fun and enjoyed our dinner - even though someone turned the oven off and the meat was raw when it came out of the oven. And since I would have never done that we all know who did it...actually maybe it was me? We thought about getting mad at each other and then just laughed. What else can you do? Cap'N Crunch grilled the meat - we just ate a little later than we planned :-)

The apple pie was FABULOUS...not the toot my own horn.

Leaving cookies and carrots for the big guy and his reindeer. Cocoa Puff is thrilled beyond words and Cheerio has no idea what is coming!

Where did all these presents come from?

Cheerio checking out her bike for the first time...

Cocoa Puff giving me some kind of look...I probably told her everything was for me. hee hee

Big girl on her bike

OH MY GOODNESS! A Hello Kitty helmet!

I love this look! No doubt I said something silly to her.

The note Santa left to the girls

Opening presents

And going outside to ride bikes. It was really cold.

What a big girl! I wish I had a better photo of the outfit. She has on red and white stripped leggings, a strawberry skirt, twinkle toes sneakers, about four shirts and a jacket. And more jewlrey than I wear in a year.

"Mom - I'm doing it!"

Cheerio did not like trying to peddle...So, she just pushes it home.

My yummy Christmas creation. Thank you to my friend K.J. for making the for a party...and sharing the recipe. I think they turned out pretty cute. They melted in our mouths. And we shared some.

Cheerio going to the park. She is READY!

Riding her bike in the park like a big girl...except she didn't really ride the bike. Cap'N Crunch ended up carrying the bike.

For New Year's weekend, we drove to Houston. It was great to see my family. Thank you Buck for hosting the best New Year's Day dinner!

I hope you all have a great 2011!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2010-11-14T13:55:00.007-06:00

Or at least one of the most wonderful times of the year! I have several posts I need/want to write but before I do that I would like to restate my goal from last year and apply it to this year...

Obsession: Taking the PERFECT Christmas card photo and sending my Christmas cards out on time this year. When I told Captain Crunch that this was my new goal/obsession - he laughed! Argh. I'll just have to show him! Ha. I'll let you know what happens.

That was an obsession from last year. I am going to plead the 5th on the outcome of the obsession.

I WILL get the perfect photo this year and I WILL send them out on time....

Because this year I will have help! There is nothing wrong with bringing in reinforcements.

My great friend Ana is going to help with the photo part...she has skills and a great camera!

And Shutterfly is going to help with the cards (they are running a special for bloggers...just for blogging about Shutterfly, you too can get some free cards!) and getting them out on time...I am pretty fond of Shutterfly too. I am normally not a big fan of photo cards...but then I got to see the Shutterfly collection of Christmas cards. I will have a hard time deciding which one to go with.

And those are just four of the hundreds of holiday cards they have! Click on the link below to start picking out your holiday card...block off plenty of time to look. The cards are 20% off right now too!

Shutterfly Holiday Cards

Another fun product I found are the gift tags....personalized gift tags! I am hooked...look at these:

And last but not least...if you can't come up with gift ideas....SHUTTERFLY

They have:

Canvas wall art made from your photos

Personalized calendars

Photo books

And so much more...

I have been truly happy with everything I have ever ordered from Shutterfly...give them a try!

Obsession: (well, besides the above one having to do with the Christmas cards) I am obsessed with my Dymo labeler. I've had it for several years, but have recently rediscovered it...if you stand still long enough I will put a label on you :-)

Confession: Hmm? What do I want to confess to today? I suppose I will tell you that I have more scrapbook paper than a small scrapbook store. Guess what you're getting for Christmas? hee hee hee!

A Summer of Visitors - August

2010-10-25T22:07:00.002-05:00

Since it's almost November, I thought I would wrap up the summer visitors posting. I'm only two and a half months behind :-)

I was wishing for an August visitor and I got a very awesome one....my little brother, Uncle S (cereal name pending). Uncle S was the perfect visitor for August...we had a great time. Let's see if I can remember what we did....

My Mom and Mommom brought him to us and spent the night. It was a nice visit...although short.

We went swimming in the river....

This one was taken on the way TO the river...we had already tuckered Uncle S and Cheerio out!

Wide awake and being silly - as usual!

Blurry photo, but still pretty...

Super cute Uncle S :-) Don't you LOVE that smile?

It's a little cold.

And then my camera wouldn't work for a few days. Grrr. It's been tempermental. (It is also getting ready to go to the camera graveyard.)

We spent Friday with my good friend Ana and her boys, C, L, and P at Landa Park. We played on the playground, had a picnic and spent the afternoon at the water park. (No photos) But let me tell you that so much fun was had. Cocoa Pufff and Cheerio were ecstatic Uncle S was with us! Fun, fun day :-)

Friday night, Uncle S made dinner for us...a pleasant surprise. We had Heavenly Artichoke Chicken with noodles and veggies. It was yummy, fast and easy to clean up! After dinner, we went to Crocodile Gap to play miniature golf and race go-carts. The golf part was so-so...the course was poorly maintained and the girls are not quite old enough to play. But the go-cart racing was really fun! Uncle S and I raced and raced! I had so much fun.

On Saturday, we took the crew to storytime then drove Uncle S to meet Mom and Aunt M. My camera started working again and thank goodness because I would have a hard time telling you about the next part without photos...

Oh, yes a flat tire....no big deal. Cap'N Crunch changes it while I take photos. Fun for me...not so much for him.

Not a fan of spiders...especially HUGE ones. It was bigger than my hand (I have been known to exaggerate....but I really think it was bigger than my hand)

Getting hot, but still happy

Country Road...isn't it great?

Cap'N Crunch was smart enough to find a big 'ole tree to park under....man alive it was a hot day!

Even the cows are under a tree.

Clear, blue sky...

Beauty

More beauty

This was the other end of the road

Tire changed...off we go.

Not so fast! The spare came off the rim. Seriously? Not funny, not funny at all....except I could not stop laughing. Cap'N Crunch did not find the humor in the situation until much later.

So we had to put the original tire that was all caddywampus back on. Only it couldn't go on the front because it made the van all wobbly. So we had to switch it around. Did I mention that the jack we had was a piece of poop? Long, funny story short...it all worked out.

This is Uncle S and me after we helped swap the tires around. Uncle S and I now know (kind of) how to change a tire :-) I did not dare take a photo of Cap'N Crunch...he was in a very sour mood.

Are you ready for the really funny part?

On the way back to the highway (remember Cap'N Crunch drove to look for a shady tree) we found a tire repair shop - hee hee hee! Tire fixed for about $30. Teaching Fruit Loop and Uncle S how to change a tire...priceless :-)

Uncle S - we had a great time with you....see you soon. Love you!

A Summer of Visitors - July

2010-09-15T22:43:00.005-05:00

After the fireworks, the L's came in for a visit - Aunt D, Uncle J, and T. Aunt D and T came out when Cocoa Puff was a wee little thing, but Uncle J had never been out...we think they all had a nice time :-)

I took 488 photos (WOW!) then I narrowed it down to 66. That still seemed like a bunch of photos. I tried to narrow it down some more this is what I ended up with - these are my favorites :-)

Cap'N Crunch, Aunt D, and Cheerio hanging out in the kiddie pool.

T and Cocoa Puff playing under the mushroom water fall!

Cheerio and T going down the slide

Cheerio loves going down the slide with T.

Cocoa Puff likes going down the slide by herself, but she loves T!

Ta-Da!

T playing at the park while waiting for dinner. Of course we took the L's to our favorite picnic spot!

This girl sure can make some funny faces!

Cheerio learned how to make faces from this girl...my Cocoa Puff! Silly girl :-)

Peek-a-boo!

More Peek-a-boo....

And one more Peek-a-boo

T being silly

Uncle Cap'N Crunch and T taking a walk.

Uh oh! Someone is getting in trouble for not wanting his photo taken. Uncle J does not like having his photo taken. (He wouldn't last in my family)

Notice the smile on Uncle T - oops, there isn't one....but at least he sat still for the photo with Aunt D and Cheerio.

I know this photo is blurry/fuzzy, but I really love it! Two big boys holding hands with my sweet Cheerio!

The Alamo...beautiful photo opportunities!

Ooops! Not everyone is looking, but doesn't Cheerio look cute?

Hmm? What's in here Dad?

Me getting ready to take a photo with my girls....Cap'N Crunch thought he was being funny taking one of me by myself...

And the girls! I wish I had taken my sunglasses off.

Again with the sunglasses! But I do love this family photo!

The L's with Cocoa Puff and Cheerio

The L's...I love this photo...Christmas card photo - hint, hint!

Cocoa Puff....don't ya just want to kiss her? Maybe it's just me!

I don't know what it is about photos from behind of Daddy holding hands with one of his girls, but I really love it!

I couldn't get everyone to look...but at least everyone is in the photo

Cheerio running away from her Mommy!

"I'm going to get you!"

I can't resist a beautiful scenery photo

I love this one!

They all look sweet, if only they were all looking at me.

I told Cap'N Crunch to give Uncle J a big kiss...

Uncle J didn't like that idea :-)

T giving Cheerio a ride....Mommy was a little nervous. That's why Cap'N Crunch was standing right behind them!

Make a wish

Brother and Sister with my girls!

Sweet love!

X-rated?

Lunch at yummy Papasitos!

Tickle time!

Bath time with Aunt D

These were the highlight of the day!

I told them to pretend they liked each other...I don't think they really have to pretend, but it did get two great smiles!

I don't know where Cocoa Puff learned how to make silly faces, do you?

Getting this photo was like pulling some teeth...T is just like his Daddy and doesn't like having his photo taken...sheesh!

Aunt D with the girls...love this one!

We are done...y'all come back now ya hear?

A Summer of Visitors - June

2010-09-13T22:49:00.005-05:00

And now for the June edition of our summer visitors.

The June wind blew Nanny in for a long weekend. We all had a blast. Here are some highlights...

Nanny is teaching Cocoa Puff how to clean.

Of course we had a Flapjack Friday with blueberry pancakes - YUM!

Cocoa Puff and Nanny before flapjacks

Cheerio and Nanny before flapjacks

Nanny and her girlies on a lunch date

Nanny and Cheerio at the pool

Cocoa Puff and Nanny at the pool

I do believe this picnic in the park is now a tradition for all our guests...and it was fun!

On the way home from the picnic, Nanny got stuck in the car...the space between the carseats is not that big...we got a good laugh out of it.

It just so happened that a story time took place so we carted Nanny along...Papa went to a story time when he was here in February!

My favorite little people and my handsome husband!

Someone was a little grumpy...not sure why?

Dancing and eating a snack...does it get any better?

Mr. Julian's music is the BEST!

Nanny joins the girls and shakes her bootay!

The visit wouldn't be complete without a pedicure from Nanny :-)

Toes!

Nanny and Cocoa Puff camping out in the backyard...it only lasted a few minutes - it was HOT!

Nanny's and Mommy's chairs by the pool...dipping our toes and reading our books!

Isn't that a beautiful sky?

Cheerio and Cocoa Puff still having fun in the pool Gramma and Grampa gave Cocoa Puff.

One cute Cheerio in the HOT tent....hamming it up as usual!

Cocoa Puff and Cheerio making a cake with Nanny for my birthday :-)

After breakfast, Nanny and Fruit Loop (me!)

Tea Party Time....

Silly Nanny tutus don't go on your head!

Goodbye kisses at the airport....

More kisses....

Lots of tears :-( It was really hard to see Nanny go home, but we had a great time....see you soon!

Still two more months of visitors to come...stay tuned!

A Summer of Visitors - May

2010-09-13T22:24:00.004-05:00

Ketchup time....oops I mean catch up time ;-)

This summer, well starting in May, we had visitors every month. We even ended up finding a visitor to fill the empty month of August. So, here's a recap:

May brings the flowers after April showers...May brought us Gramma and Grampa for Cocoa Puff's fourth birthday!

Gramma made the princess castle cake for Cocoa Puff

Cocoa Puff blowing out her candles

We took Gramma and Grampa to our favorite park for a picnic

Cocoa Puff caught a firefly or lightning bug - She was very excited!

Of course we went to the Riverwalk...good times.

Have I introduced you to my silly husband? He's pretending to explore the "jungle"

I love this man so much! Laughter is good for my soul and he makes me laugh nearly everyday :-)

Sweet love!

I love this photo!

Gramma and Grampa got Cocoa Puff a pool for her birthday...they both love it!

We made Gramma and Grampa follow us out to the sticks to eat at the legendary Salt Lick...so worth the drive....

Meat.

Stay tuned for June, July and August!

A new treat for my cuties...

2010-09-05T16:07:00.002-05:00

The other day I found an interesting recipe on a blog.

I decided to save it because I knew my little people would love it!

And love it they did...although I have no photographic proof. You'll just have to trust me.

Of course I'm going to share ;-)

S'more clusters

First, take mini marshmallows - about half a bag.

Then add Golden Grahams - maybe two cups. Can you tell I didn't measure?

Then I melted chocolate coating.

The best part was pouring the melted chocolate into the bowl.

With a spoon, mix until the marshmallows and Golden Grahams are coated. Transfer to a cookie sheet. Let the chocolate harden.

Eat! You can break it up into small chunks and put the chunks into baking cups to serve. Ours didn't make it to the pretty, serving stage.

Cocoa Puff loves marshmallows which is why I made the treat. Both girls liked it. I was on the fence. A true s'more has a melted marshmallow. I think I will stick to roasted marshmallows with my s'mores...but definitely a fun treat for kiddos. Cap'N Crunch really liked it too.

Recipe from Madigan made...check her out. She has got some great ideas!

Five question Friday!

2010-09-03T20:38:00.005-05:00

Five question Friday we meet again....like a long lost friend. It's been too long.

Just in case you don't know the drill...Mama M (one seriously funny Mama) hosts this blog carnival every Friday...that takes dedication! Check her out - you won't be sorry.

Here we go.....

1. What do you do when you have time to yourself?

Like right now? Cap 'N Crunch and the girls are watching tv....so I'm blogging and before I started this post I was looking at other blogs. I also plan engaging lessons for my three classes (at least I aim for them to be engaging!), I craft....mod podge is now a very dear friend.

And sometimes when I have time to myself - I just sit. on. the. couch. :-)

2. When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see?

I see dirt. The window goes from the floor to the ceiling.

I keep meaning to plant an herb garden.

But we've been here for 5 years....my bet is that it won't happen anytime soon.

3. Who/What would you like to be reincarnated as?

A pelican.

I would fly over the oceans and dip my head in the water to eat yummy fish although I might want to grill the fish first...is that allowed?

And I wouldn't poop all over the place. I cannot stand bird poop.

4. What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids?

Maybe I shouldn't answer this question.

I have lots of pet peeves when it comes to other people's children.

One on the top of the list is poor manners....please/thank you, excuse me...you know, manners! But I suppose it's hard for kids to learn manners when the parents don't have any.

5. Regular or Diet soda?

Have you met me? I love Coke. In the red can. I do not like silver cans.

And that is all she wrote...until next time.

Have a great weekend....love on the people around you!

How a Princess Wakes Up...

2010-08-24T10:50:00.005-05:00

Once upon a time there were two princesses living in the same castle. The two princesses were sisters. The younger sister, Princess Cheerio LOVED her older sister, Princess Cocoa Puff. She loved her so much that she didn't like to be without her for even one second. (Princess Cocoa Puff loved Princess Cheerio too, but for the purpose of this story the younger sister's love for the older sister is more important.)

One day Princess Cheerio woke up from her beauty sleep before Princess Cocoa Puff. The King and Queen tried distracting the little princess from waking up the older princess, but it did not work. Princess Cheerio was determined to get Princess Cocoa Puff out of bed.

(This is the smile Princess Cheerio gave the Queen after waking Princess Cocoa Puff up!)

And this is how a Princess wakes up....

Side note from the Queen....Cocoa Puff slept with the crown...she did it all by herself after we closed the door. She wonders why her hair is so full of knots? ;-)

School

2010-08-22T23:29:00.001-05:00

Cocoa Puff started pre-school this year. (tears)

She LOVES it! (big smile - because as sad as I am that she is one year closer to the big "K", I am thrilled that she loves school)

Being the mom that I am, I didn't get to take before school photos (of course I was running late). So, I just took after school photos!

I tried the traditional "in front of the front door" photo....didn't really work.

Cocoa Puff just wanted to pose and be silly. And I ended up getting distracted by a pretty plant.

Then I tried the artsy photo...I took it in our bedroom standing on the bed looking down. And it's cute, but doesn't show all of Cocoa Puff...*sigh*

So, I just told her to stand next to the wall...I am not crazy about the photo, but it'll do until next year. Let's not talk about next year...

She was so excited that she had homework....she couldn't wait to do it.

Of course, Cheerio wanted to do homework too! I just might change her nickname to copycat! They are too funny. (And YES...I realize her hair is covering her eyes...she will not keep a ponytail in all day...The Great Aunt Patty will be cutting it soon enough!)

I am hoping to get more posting done this week. I am so far behind. Fingers crossed!

Flapjack Friday - Florida Edition!

2010-07-23T21:14:00.005-05:00

Well, hello! I feel like I've fallen off the face of the blogging planet....I'm trying to get back into the blogging frame of mind. And this week I have had help. The girlies and I are in Florida with the Nanny and the Papa. Nanny said she wanted me to spend lots of time blogging :-) So, here is my first post from Florida:

Flapjack Friday actually happened on Thursday this week because Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch spent the night on Wednesday night and was here for breakfast.

My normal job of flapjack flipping was taken from me....Papa decided to flip the flapjacks - it was really okay with me especially when I tasted melt in your mouth pancakes with crispy edges.

Hmmm? I know what you're thinking...."Crispy edges?"

I thought the same thing...but seriously - you should have Papa make you some pancakes with crispy edges. I'm going to have to have him make them again so that I can figure out how!

Photo shoot

2010-07-02T00:00:00.002-05:00

June was not a good month for blogging...but hopefully I'm back! I had a request today for more photos...so here you are Mommom! I thought I would start with some recents photos that were taken at Portrait Innovations. The girls had a great time getting their picture taken and being the center of attention!

Enjoy :-)

More words next time...tired tonight! Have a wonderful Friday!

Aargh!

2010-06-14T00:17:00.004-05:00

No - I have not turned into a pirate.

I'm frustrated because I have been without a computer for over two weeks. I didn't post for two weeks before that because Cap'N Crunches parents were in town (amazing visit...but more on that later). Some of you were worried that I was too busy cleaning...okay just one person, Halley, but that's so not the case. Thanks for the concern Halley...love you!

I have three hundred and ninety-two ideas for posts that I have wanted to post...but without a computer it's pretty impossible. And I suppose I could have gone the the library...but I'm not on speaking terms with the library right now (who knew that they like to charge late fees when you don't turn books and stuff in on time - sheesh!)

So, I just wanted to post quickly, while the computer is working...don't get too excited - it could "break" tomorrow, but hopefully it won't and I will be able to get caught up...as overwhelming as that is.

I have really missed my blogging....a much needed stress reliever.

Just in case you have forgotten what my cereal looks like...here are a few photos.

Motivation...Found!

2010-05-04T16:30:00.005-05:00

So, the other day, on this post, I was wishing for a jar of motivation.

Poof....wish granted.

Okay, so maybe it didn't quite "poof" but it clicked in my head that I had a jar of motivation all along...

I just had to open it.

Would you like to know what is in my jar of motivation? Well, of course you do :)

My family and friends. I am so blessed with a wonderful group of family and friends. And they are my motivation.

In May, Cap N'Crunches' parents are visiting for Cocoa Puff's 4th birthday. And don't cha know I want my house to be sparkly for that...well and we're having the party at our house - so I would like it to be pretty for the party! We are SO excited to have Gramma and Grampa visiting us...Shh - don't tell Cocoa Puff - it's a surprise!

In June, Nanny is coming to town....for Miss Cocoa Puff's dance recital - Aunt Molly and Mommom will be in attendance also. Of course the house needs to spic and span for the visit.

In July, Keith's sister, her husband and their son will be paying us a visit. We are just tickled that all these people are visiting. And it gives us the motivation to get our projects done...or at least mostly done.

Notice we don't have any visitors in August....would you like to visit our cereal bunch? We would love to have you...the house will be sparkling and all improved by then! The weather here in August is WoDeRfUL...hee hee a little joke.

Here are a few photos of what we've been doing to get ready for the first wave of visitors....

The garage before (and a cute little helper)

I was trying to be thrifty with this project and not spend any money buying paint. So I dug through our old paint colors to see what we had. These were the options:

#1

#2

#3

I was not crazy about the first two. The third one was okay, but I didn't have nearly enough to cover the whole garage...so I dumped all the colors together (minus that snot-colored one). And presto-changeo.....

The new garage wall color. I felt a little bit like an artist.

Isn't it beautiful and it was free. Well, okay I purchased it way back when while I was attempting to find the perfect color for our living room, but for this project it was free.

I even had an assistant and she works for free :) She is pretty fun to work with!

These shelves used to be yucky. I wanted to go buy new ones, but I challenged myself to stick with my budget (nothing). I painted the support thingies and cut some new shelves from materials we had from previous projects(okay, so Cap'N Crunch actually did the cutting - have to give credit where credit is due), painted them....I think they turned out very nicely, don't you?

I have a hard time putting things on them. Cap'N Crunch made fun of me. I think I might have a little OCD...or something.

Next up is a chair I purchased at Goodwill for a whopping $10 :) We had been needing one for our office, but I was not going to spend hundreds of dollars for a chair from Pottery Barn, but I didn't want to get a cheap-o chair either. So, I just kept looking and looking. One day I was inspired to go to Goodwill in search of something else, which I still haven't found yet, and I found this lovely chair. The color was not so lovely though.

My handsome husband, Cap'N Crunch getting ready to sand the chair. Don't you just love his getup?

Cocoa Puff decorating the driveway with rainbows. Cheerio was sleeping....Cocoa Puff is boycotting naps at the moment.

Well, that's all for today. The girlies should be waking up any moment. Have a great week.

Five question Friday

2010-04-30T09:52:00.002-05:00

It's been quite some time since I've participated in Five question Friday...so I thought I would play along this week....it helps that I'm not having a garage sale like I did last weekend.

Here we go:

1. If you could, would you go back to high school?

I really have fond memories of high school.

But I don't like the idea of going backwards....ya know?

If I could go back and tell myself to be more confident and let loose more, I would, but I've learned all that the hard way....is there any other way to learn stuff? :) I'm sure I heard it plenty of times from adults who had been there/done that...but I didn't listen.

2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (no saying "more wishes"!)

I would ask for a publishing deal...so that I could have my wish of getting a book published fufilled. That would be awesome. And it would help with money so two birds with one stone kind of thing!

Next I would wish for a jar of motivation for those days when I'm just not motivated to: a) get stuff done; b) watch what I eat; c) exercise; d) blog :)

Wouldn't you love a jar of motivation? I am currently working on a motivation board...putting photos on display that will keep me motivated?...we'll see if it works.

3. What kids show do you secretly like?

Imagination Movers...they are cute. And they sing. And they are goofy...something we know about in our house :)

4. What is your beverage of choice?

Ugh...Three weeks ago I would have been able to say: Coca-Cola! And I would tell you that I had three or four a day some days :(

I know, not great.

So, today my answer is: WATER!

I'm learning to like it more and more everyday. I still have serious cravings for a coke, but I have something to show for it...and that makes it a little easier. See the next answer....

5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?

Outwardly...I am working on sheding a few pounds. Maybe saying a few in an understatment, but it makes it seem like not such a long road...one day at a time.

Inwardly...I am working on being a better person...for me! I'm not exactly sure what that means...but opportunities appear before me everyday...and some days I think I succeed and other days I fall flat on my face and fail.

So, there you have it...Five questions on Friday! If you want to answer these questions or read more answers - head over to Mama M's Little Life blog. She is great!

Happy, Happy!

2010-04-26T11:27:00.000-05:00

Happy, Happy Anniversary to Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Uncle Wheaties :)

About a year ago (okay, so I'm late...better late right? Right?!!) I traveled with my cereal bunch (we hadn't turned into cereal yet though) to Mexico for my sister's destination wedding. It was almost like getting married again....but I was just able to enjoy myself instead of all the stress that came with my own wedding. My sister was the most beautiful bride.

FYI - The photo of the four of us - in the upper right hand corner - was taken while we were in Mexico.

Okay, back to the wedding - here are some photos and the real reason for the post: a video of Miss Cocoa Puff singing a song for her aunt and uncle. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch had the most adorable flower girl.

Papa and Cocoa Puff aka Flower Girl

Sleepy Flower Girl

My sweet Cheerio

(I'm loving looking back at these photos - she has changed so much!)

Cap'N Crunch is practicing his Father Daughter Dance with Cheerio

Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Uncle Wheaties

Isn't this a great photo? (I would love to take credit...but I can't. I don't have a nice camera...remember? Don't get me started :) !)

Cocoa Puff with her aunt and uncle on the way to the pool

Now...I did take these photos! Aren't they amazing?!

Cheerio and I got up early on the last morning and went down to the beach...I was a little sad we were leaving!

Footprints in the sand!

Cap'N Crunch and I have had this song in our heads for the last week or so...maybe she has a future in the songwriting business?

Happy Anniversary to Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Uncle Wheaties....and to Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jerry (I haven't decided on your cereal names yet.)

Happy Monday.

Easter

2010-04-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Cap'N Crunch and I learned a few lessons about Easter eggs this weekend. First let me warn you that this post is packed with photos...and I do think that they are pretty stinkin' cute.

Lesson One: Eggs need to be boiled first. Duh! Last night, at 8:30 we realized it would take a little longer than we thought to get the eggs colored. Good thing our girls can roll with it! Here are a few photos from last night.

"Your egg Delivered!" Cap'N Crunch works for AT&T...he didn't even realized he was painting his egg like the AT&T emblem.

His face when I pointed it out to him...

Cheerio and her first painting experience. She really liked it. Bring on the tantrum when I tried taking it away...okay you can paint a little longer.

Do you see that sweet little hand?

Our finished eggs

I like to set the table the night before...one less thing to do in the morning plus it looks so pretty...at least I think so :)

Lesson Two: When eggs go from the fridge to outside they will have condensation and the dye will wipe off onto sweet hands and pretty Easter dresses.

Here are some photos from our morning:

What is that stuff over there?

Ready for breakfast... No we don't eat cereal every morning!

Dressed for an Easter egg hunt...but she didn't like the headband on her head. Cheerio thinks it belongs on her legs.

And this is the face I got when I put the headband back where it belonged...

Daddy saved the day by making her laugh!

Cap'N Crunch and Cocoa Puff ready and waiting for Mommy

There is my sweet girl!

Look what I found!

The egg was okay...but she really wanted to dig in the dirt.

A egg hunting pro!

Cocoa Puff can even stop and pose for a photo while hunting for eggs.

Cheerio just couldn't help herself...yard work is never ending at our house.

The faces this girl makes...

Look at that handsome husband of mine...Cap'N Crunch told me I should tell you..."You think the backside looks good - wait till you see the front!" He's not the least little bit full of himself...is he? :)

Cocoa Puff's bag of hunted egg's...wow!

Cheerio's bag of hunted eggs! At least she got one...which her sister promptly took and put into her own bag. Little stinker!

The Easter Bunny did such a good job hiding the eggs!

Did you make it? Cute, huh? I told you there were lots of photos. And I didn't post them all...I think I will give you a day or two to gain your vision back before I post the rest of the days photos (hint - we went in search of the perfect bluebonnet patch.)

Have a great week!

My Very First Guest Blogger...

2010-03-28T21:49:00.004-05:00

It all started with a 'q'. A 'q' that Cocoa Puff said I needed on my blog. She shuffled in to our office/guest bedroom - well past her bedtime - because she couldn't get comfortable in her bed. (Yes, I know, she's got me wrapped around her little finger.) She saw that I was writting a post for my blog - it was almost done when she started 'helping' me....I decided to not fight it and I let her have a post of her own. (Watch for the post I was working on tomorrow or Tuesday?)

So without further delay, here is my first (and maybe only) guest blogger....Please give a warm welcome to Cocoa Puff.

q - this is from Cocoa Puff...she said my blog needed a 'q' dddddbmpioooo bbbbbbb

cat - we're trying to learn how to spell little words...she asked me the other day how to spell something ( I can't remember what word) and ever since I've been slipping a few in here and there.

uuuuipkljhxzcf <-------Cocoa Puff spelling her name :)

uiopuygfbnn,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,mvgtyqqqwertyui <------I asked her what she was spelling here and she said it was a surprise! When I took over she said, "Mom, stop! It's my turn. I need to have a turn."

Back to Cocoa Puff....

hgfdsaqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqwwwwwwertyuyuiuioooooooooooooooooojjjjjjjjjjjjjjhhhhhhhhhh
lllbngtyhhhhhhhhhhhhhdazxxcccxcvbbbbbbbbnnnnnnnnnnnnmllluiioprrqwsxxz

Me: "What do you want to tell everybody?"

CP: I want to tell everybody I am updating my blog. Can I do it? Please? It's my turn..."

uywqwssdfgxcdcxdsaqq2kl.mnbvggggfhdsagfghjkl;poiuytrewqazs

Me: "Do you want to say hi to anyone?"

CP: "Uh, no."

Me: I went through some of the people that might read...all five or ten of you :)

CP: "I want to say hi to everyone...and I really want to go see Jordan sing again. She sings pretty."

qwrtuyghdssatgggggtfrefghopoeqaxzcvbmnnmmjjjjjjjhhhuyytgfrdewqsahyuoiiiiiiiiiioplhgiuuu
hjhutyqddfcfgfrewqderdsssazxxhnuyyttjkkkkkkkkkkodefrgtygyhybzxxbnmm jhggfgfrrewwqqwwqsdsassssssasasawwffgfgtrghnhgytytdsawqewcffdfvfzxcvcv bnmmgygtreewqwqsaassfgjmjkhyyjnbvvvvvvvvczcxnmhjhkjkj;loioppyewqqqqrwdcdtuu
uuykiyytrqruuhhxzcbnmgtdasdgjyqweqwer258uiopcxzxcvbnmjjkkllpppppiuyyteqqeeghmk
jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

And now a pretty cute vlog from my guest blogger! I hope you enjoy...

Five question Friday!

2010-03-26T17:42:00.008-05:00

It's been too long! I have been one stressed out Mommy...and I have the pimples to prove it :)

So, a little de-stressing activity....Five Question Friday! I love me some Mama M. and some Five quesitons on Friday!

1. Did you pass your driver's test on the first try?

Why yes I did! I can be a very good driver when I want to be. I could also be a speed demon in high school....I will stop there.

2. What is your most embarrassing moment?

I am very easily embarrassed. I also frequently do things to embarrass myself...not that I mean to, it just happens.

One particulary embarrassing incident comes to mind...I don't know if I can really share it. I would be horribly embarrassed if I did....

Should I? Should I not?

Okay, fine here goes....

I went on Spring Break my sophomore year in high school with a fellow band member. (It might have been freshman year...not positive?) We went to New Mexico to visit her family. There was a really cute, older uncle, hers, not mine - just to clarify. While we were there I was being visited my a certain Aunt FLO...you know 'that time of the month'...yuck! (Keep in mind I was maybe 14 or 15 at the time.)

Here comes the embarrassing part...I still cannot believe I am typing this for all the five readers I have to see....

I went to the bathroom to do my business...I also had to poop. Then the toilet would not flush. I was thinking, "Seriously?" and turning all shades of red. I wanted to dig a hole in the bathroom floor and make my way to China to avoid utter humiliation.

But I knew I had to face the music. I went out and whispered to my friend. She is not an easily embarrassed type, by-the-way. She yells to her cute uncle, "The toilet won't flush!" He heads in there. Me, trying to act very not embarrassed, "I'm sorry. I had to go. And..." That's about as far as I got before I passed out and died of embarrassment.

Okay, I, obviously did not pass out or die of embarrassment. But if it were possible, that would have been the moment it would have happened. Don't ya think?

I think I'll move on to the next question...I am starting to turn all shades of red again.

3. What TV show would you like to be on - Oprah, Biggest Loser, or What Not to Wear?

Can I say all three? Well, it's my blog and I am going to say all three.

In this order: Biggest Loser to, you know, lose a few - or maybe 120 - pounds (I really don't have that many to lose), then What Not to Wear...because I would still be wearing all the riducously yucky clothes from before Biggest Loser, and finally Oprah...of course she would want to talk to be after my experiences and because I am such a fabulous, well-known blogger (insert snort here please!).

4. Would you ever get plastic surgery and what kind?

Before kids I would have said absolutely and all kinds. Why not...it'll be fun.

After kids, no! Most women would probably me the opposite, right? Well, I will explain.

I am a nut job...I don't want to have the anethesia required to have the plastic surgery because something could go wrong and then I wouldn't be around for my kiddos. I did warn you.

5. What are your favorite jeans to wear?

Uh...jeans that fit? I typically buy Old Navy jeans...not too pricey and they fit okay.

Whew. All done! I am visualizing Cheerio shaking her hands making the 'all done' sign...just thought I would let you know. And even though it's about 11:30 p.m. Cocoa Puff is in her bed singing "If you like then you should've put a ring on it....oh, oh, oh, oh, oh..." She is a silly night owl like her Mommy.

Not Me! Monday

2010-03-15T23:13:00.011-05:00

It's been a few days since I last posted...I've been thinking about posting. But the weather in our neck of the woods has been too pretty to stay inside on the computer. Yes, I know that I could compose a post at night...I have thirty thousand excuses, I mean reasons, why I haven't. Moving on --->

Warning: If you are squeamish around dirty things, please stop reading and looking at photos. This is going to be a dirty post!

You have been warned.

Okay, you asked for it!

Since I haven't posted lately, I thought I would get in on MckMama's Not Me! Monday. For complete rules and to read other people's 'Not Me's!' head over to MckMama's blog.

This weekend, I did not neglect the laundry just so I could play outside with my little people and Cap'N Crunch!

It certainly was not Cocoa Puff who put her girly princess shoe in with Daddy's dirty work clothes...I guess even princess shoes need to be washed sometimes!

I also did not leave the bathtub with a dirt trail this big.

And Cap'N Crunch did not just fill up the tub and tell me after it was filled up that I needed to clean it after the girls had their bath. Nope, not my sweet, helpful husband!

I absolutely did not forego sweeping all weekend. (In my defense, we were in and out of the house all weekend. It wouldn't have mattered if I had swept...right? Yup. We'll go with that!)

Now that you know all of my "dirty" little secrets...I have to go finish washing that mountain o' laundry. I already finished sweeping the floor and washing the bathtub and cleaning the kitchen and vaccuming the carpet and the babies are in bed....Whew! I'm tired. Maybe I will just go to bed. Good night!

Yes!

2010-03-01T23:07:00.004-06:00

Dear Cocoa Puff,

Yes! I will be your best friend. Tonight, we were cuddling in your bed when you asked me if I would be your best friend. Wow! What an honor. There is no one else I would rather have as my best friend! (other than your Daddy of course...he will always be my best number one best friend) You went on to tell me that you were going to wake me up in the morning and tell me, "Wake up Mommy! It's a beautiful day (that's what I tell you and Cheerio when you wake up)!" I am so lucky to have such a great best friend!

But let me warn you that I am your Mommy first. It's my job and I take it very seriously...only because I want you and your sister (and future siblings) to grow up to be responsible human beings. I want you to follow the Golden Rule...Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. I want you to be happy.

I only want what's best for you...and I realize that there will be times that you don't think I know what's best..and maybe I won't, but I have experience and love. I will try really hard not to be over-bearing or too protective ( I did say try...it may happen sometimes. I'm not perfect. And I won't expect you to be perfect either....but I will expect you to try your best.) I could go on and on, but I won't...I want to enjoy my new best friend status...you may change your mind tomorrow when I make you help me clean-up all the toys you take out or when I tell you it's quiet time or when you can't wear your bathing suit to bible study...I told you I am your Mommy first! hee hee

I just wanted to jot some of these things down that have been floating around in my head. I love you so much that sometimes I feel like "my heart is going to pop out of my chest and go into my nose." <----your words :)

Flapjack Friday - Dinner Edition

2010-02-26T19:45:00.010-06:00

I decided that this week I would make Flapjacks for dinner so that Cap'N Crunch could take part in our fun tradition.

Then I found this AMAZING pancake recipe...Thank you Pioneer Woman! I was a little nervous about it though, because in the past I have not had success with 'from scratch' pancakes. Oh, well, here goes.... Are you ready for Cinnamon Bun Pancakes?

First, I blended the dry ingredients - flour, white sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.

Next, I whipped the wet ingredients together: eggs, milk, corn syrup, melted butter and vanilla. Yummy! Off to a good start...although I feel obligated to mention that these pancakes are not fat-free. hee hee

Combine flour with egg mixture. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto a lightly buttered medium/low heated girddle. Brown on both sides.

Oh, Yummy! But wait! The Pioneer Woman didn't stop there...so neither can I. She made a glaze to go over the pancakes.

Melt some butter in a bowl, add powdered sugar, a little maple syrup, and a splash of milk...mix it up until smooth. Warm it up, then pour over your pancakes and you're in heaven - well, at least your mouth is in heaven!

I've been playing with the font on this post for too long...I can't fix it....not starting over...maybe I'll change it tomorrow. Ugh. If you want the real recipe or you just want to see better photos (I am so not a food photographer) go here.

Just Five question Friday!

2010-02-26T11:38:00.002-06:00

T.G.I.F.Q.F - Thank Goodness It's Five Question Friday!

I have been blog slacking this week...I have about three posts almost written, but not quite ready to publish...so stay tuned. Maybe tomorrow?

On with the main act...the questions. You know the drill, and if you don't you really should stop living under that rock :) Mama M hosts a fun blog hop every week...Five question Friday. After you finish reading here, go over to her blog and check her out!

1. Do you sing karaoke? If so, what is your go to song?

Yes and No. I have sung karaoke in the past...I will never sing karaoke again. I am not good. And I was slightly inebriated when I sang in the past. Cap'N Crunch was so lucky to have experienced my attempts at entertaining a bar full of intoxicated people...Ah. Memories. Never. Again! EVER.

And I certainly will never tell that my song of choice was Madonna's Like a Virgin. Seriously, who would admit that on a family blog...to a handful of people? Certainly not me.

2. What is your favorite coffee drink?

Blah. Gag. Barf. Can you tell that I do NOT like coffee drinks? I have, on occasion, had a cup of coffee, but not really my cup of tea...I don't like tea either...unless it's cold with lots of sugar! Coke is my beverage of choice....just FYI.

3. If you could choose your own name, what would it be?

I did choose my own name.

Fruit Loop!

Oh, you're talking about my real name? Well, I like my name...it's not very common...but if I was changing it I would change it to Jillian...not very different, just a little.

4. Were you ever bullied?

There was this one time....

We were living in California. I was in sixth grade (maybe fifth?). A girl wanted my lunch. She was older and MEAN. I was not going to give her my lunch. I was not very brave...but I knew I was not going to give in.

So, I hid. Yes, you heard me...I hid. In the bathroom. Until lunch was over. I got in trouble for being late to class.

The girl didn't bother me again and we moved shortly after that...

5. How often do you eat fast food?

Too often.

Trying to get better.

Need a fast food, drive-thru, healthy place....why doesn't subway have a drive-thru window? Or like a Sonic-style place with ALL healthy food?

I did see on Food Network the other day that there is a cereal restaurant...I forgot the name of it...but you can mix and match any kind of cereal and add toppings to it! I am going to have to look into this more!

Flapjack Five question Friday!

2010-02-19T14:01:00.004-06:00

It's Friday again! This Friday is not as fun as last Friday because Papa is not here...but we pushed on and had Flapjack Friday anyway.

Cocoa Puff and Cheerio woke up in Mommy's bed this morning. Cheerio woke up first. I tried to get her to go back to sleep, but then she saw Cocoa Puff. I knew I would not be successful, so I just let her wake Cocoa Puff up. We were snuggling when Cocoa Puff asked me if it was Flapjack Friday. I love that she looks forward to it too!

So, today we had Banana Flapjacks! Yummy!

From February 2010

And now on to Five question Friday! Mama M hosts this fun blog hop every week and I just love her for it! Head over to her blog - after you read mine of course!

1. Have you ever hit an animal with your vehicle?

No! I hope I never have to experience this.

2. When you see a string on your clothes do you pull it off or cut it off?

I'm lazy...so I usually pull it off. Unless it doesn't come off easily, then I go get the scissors.

3. Did you have your own room or share a room when you were young?

I have always had my own room.

4. Would you rather wear the same thing for the rest of your life or eat the same thing for the rest of your life?

As long as I could wash the outfit, I think I would have to say wear the same thing for the rest of my life. It would be really hard to eat the same thing for the rest of my life. I mean I could eat cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the same cereal? No way!

5. What was your favorite TV show as a child?

Geez...I have a horrible memory. And what do you mean as a child? Like grade school? Middle School? High School?

I think I remember watching The Smurfs. And Silverspoons. And 90210. That kinda covers all the grades!

And that's all! Short and sweet today.

Weeds...

2010-02-18T14:43:00.005-06:00

My cereal bunch and I were outside yesterday. The girls were playing and Cap'N Crunch and I were kicking the soccer ball around. Then I noticed some monster weeds. Well, truthfully, I knew they were there because when Papa was here (more about that later), we raked leaves and pulled a few weeds. But yesterday I noticed how many weeds were in our yard. I have never seen it like this before. I guess with all the rain?

So, I started pulling and putting them in a Dora bucktet (the only thing I had at the moment). I emptied the bucket several times by the fence. Then Cap'N Crunch started helping me...so we decided we needed a big ole black yard trash bag. We filled it up and it doesn't even look like we made a dent.

Now, I know that pulling weeds may not be fasinating to you...it's not really to me either. Or at least it wasn't until I started blogging. The whole time I was pulling weeds...I was "writing" a post in my head. I even had to go inside to get my camera to document the weeds.

From February 2010

I seriously realize how weird I am...but hear me out. I was thinking about life and how sometimes we have weeds in our life garden - and we have to pull them out and get rid of them. Don't you agree? I currently have a few weeds in my life garden that I need to pull and bag and take to the curb. They have gotten pretty big...the longer you ignore weeds, the bigger they get. I also want to plant more flowers and fruits and veggies. It's time.

The whole were the weed was is almost as big as my big foot!

From February 2010

Cap'N Crunch laughed at me when I told him what my post was going to be about....but that's okay. You can laugh too...I just am thinking out loud, well, on the computer.

Here are some other photos from yesterday of the girls....

Cocoa Puff now likes to dress herself...

From February 2010

Do you want a kiss?

From February 2010

And last but not least, I have been forgetting to do these....

Obsession: Magazines. I love me some magazines! And they have taken over the living room, guest bedroom/office, and our bedroom (well, at least my side of the bed). Seriously, I need to go to magazines annoymous. Is there such a thing?! I have been trying to get rid of them, but it's so hard. One day....but then another magazine shows up in the mail. Oh, and the joy it brings. Wow...I am crazy! :)

Confession: Hmm? What do I want to confess to today? Sometimes I feel like I love my girls so much my heart is going to pop right out of my chest.

Top Ten Reasons I Love Cap'N Crunch

2010-02-14T13:25:00.003-06:00

I'm a little sad knowing that today is the last day of Mama M's Valentine's Extravaganza. It's been a super fun blog hop...I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. It's nice to remember the days of dating and the days before kiddos and the days when you loved each other so much you couldn't get enough of each other.

I have a few more post planned for the next week, so come back and check them out. I also am going to get back to Obsessions and Confessions! It's been a while since I've done those, but I have quite a few stored in my head and even some written down.

Even jibber jabber, here are the top ten reasons I love my Captain!

10. A master on the grill....yummy steaks on the grill!

9. He always says I look good...even when I know I don't.

8. He puts me first, most of the time.

7. The way he can make me laugh...even when I have the grumpies!

6. He can usually answer any question I have about random stuff...even if he just pretends to know because he doesn't like to not know.

5. Weekend breakfasts!

4. When he does something without being asked...like vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry.

3. The goofy boy that emerges when he really plays with our girls.

2. Knowing that he loves taking care of his family...emotionally, physically and financially.

And the number one reason I love Cap'N Crunch....

1. I love him just because I love to love him.

Photo Day at Mama M's blog hop

2010-02-13T17:06:00.003-06:00

Today is probably the easiest day of Mama M's blog hop...and I almost didn't participate. I hardly have any photos of Keith and I on the computer. I have actual photos on paper, but now that we have kiddos we don't really take pictures of just us...so here are some photos I gathered. Enoy and come back tomorrow for the last day of the Valentine's Extravaganza.

We were being silly...these are not our normal faces!

From Drop Box

This is the only photo I could find on the computer...I was too lazy to scan a paper photo. However, I think this is a good one because we are just goofy...as you can see in the picture. So, that's it. I will make more of an effort in the future to get pictures of Cap'N Crunch and me.

Special Edition of Flapjack Friday and Five question Friday! Fabulous!

2010-02-12T11:03:00.005-06:00

Well, helllooooo! (said in my best Mrs. Doubtfire voice)

I am so excited it's Friday...and I just can't hide it.

So, yesterday afternoon, Cocoa Puff and I picked Papa up from the airport. I went to the airport with one excited kiddo and drove home with two excited kiddos. Okay, well maybe one of them isn't really a kiddo, but Papa sure was excited to see Cocoa Puff. And I sure was excited to see them together...it makes my heart happy.

And that leads me to today's Special Edition of Flapjack Friday! I'm not sure who (Papa) suggested chocolate chip flapjacks....normally we would never have sugar for breakfast (oh, the horror!), but since today is a Special Edition of Flapjack Friday, I decided it would be fun to let Cocoa Puff have chocolate chip flapjacks- for the first time. (Sidenote: Cheerio is not eating chocolate chip flapjacks...they are blueberry.)

From February 2010

Isn't that the cutest blueberry face you've ever seen? And don't you love how Cocoa Puff is loving on Papa? Awe!

Okay, now on to Mama M's Special Edition of Five question Friday! Valentine style!

1. What is the one thing your love does for you that you cannot live without?

Hmm? One thing? I think that I would have to say...making me laugh. Cap'N Crunch can make me laugh even when I don't want to ...you know, when you're so grumpy, you just want to stay grumpy for the sake of being grumpy? Or is that just me?

Anyway, Cap'N Crunch can get me out of those "I just want to be grumpy" moods. And I couldn't live without that!

2. When did you know that your love was "the one"?

I had a feeling at the very beginning. And it just grew from there. I don't have a particular moment that I thought to myself, "I am going to marry this boy." Well, other than the night he proposed and the day I married him.

3. Does your love have a special ringtone on your cell phone?

I still have not figured out how to do that and I really don't have a desire to. Cap'N Crunch would probably like it if he did have a special ring....he does on our home phone. I am so bad about answering my cell phone. I just call people back.

4. What are you attracted to most in your special someone?

Eyes! Cap'N Crunch has the best eyes. Oh, and I love his hands...I feel so secure when he holds my hand and his arms...they protect me when he wraps them around me.

Non-physically....I love his sense of humor and the way he makes me laugh...did I mention that already? And I love his love for silly facts. Cap'N Crunch loves to know useless information and share it with everyone. And even though I say I love it, it sometimes drives me crazy.

5. Did you know when/where he was going to pop the question?

Read this post to find the answer to this question!

And that ladies and gentlemen is Flapjack Friday and Five quesiton Friday! If you would like to participate...flip some flapjacks and head over to Mama M's to link up to her Five question Friday. (Flapjack Friday is not required, but it sure is fun!)

Romantic blunders....

2010-02-11T08:52:00.001-06:00

Hello again! Wow...this is day 5 of the blog hop over at Mama M's. And I've participated in all five days so far. Only three to go...do you think I'll make it? I actually do, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Today's topic is stories about romantic screw-ups. I almost didn't participate because I couldn't think of one. Oh, I don't mean that Cap'N Crunch hasn't made any...he has. But I started getting upset at thinking about all of the things he could do to be more romantic. I'm one of those gals who love sappy love movies and romantic novels (not trashy paperback novels). I am a sucker for a happy ending. But in real life, happy endings aren't like they are in the movies...I know some girls are lucky enough to have sappy, romantic guys, but I didn't end up with one of those. I think in so many ways I ended up with a better guy....but I will talk more about that on another day!

Okay, back to today's story. This is actually a romantic screw-up for both of us....

It all started on what should have been the most romantic week of our lives. The honeymoon. We didn't have a lot of money (and we procrastinated on the planning), so we decided to rent a convertible and drive south...after all we lived in Florida at the time. There was so much that we hadn't done. We thought it would be fun to not have any plans and just drive. And it might have been fun...

Do you hear the if coming?

Yep. It might have been fun if Cap'N Crunch hadn't gotten sick. And not just cough, sneeze, cough sick. He claimed to have pneumonia. Notice I wrote "claimed." I of course did not believe him. I think I may have even accused him of being 'dramatic', maybe.

Let me just stop really quick and say that I'm the biggest baby when I'm sick, but I have no tolerance when someone else if sick and complaining...well, I do if the person is not my husband. on. our. honeymoon.

I was so irritated. I mean who gets sick on their honeymoon? WHO? Well, apparently my new husband.

After declaring that he wanted to go home and go to the doctor, we started driving back. We did stop and spend the night in Orlando.

We get home the next day and go to the doctor. Anyone want to guess what's wrong with him? The darn boy had pneumonia. What are the odds? So then I felt like the horrible new wife. I should have been playing nurse (no not that kind of nurse!) instead of making him feel bad for ruining our honeymoon.

And that's our story of romantic screw-ups.

Here comes this bride, all dressed in white....

2010-02-10T00:44:00.005-06:00

Today's topic on Mama M's Valentine's Day Extravaganza is....favorite memory from your wedding day.

My wedding day....um, I mean Our wedding day....

Well, my favorite memory is...I married the love of my life, my dream guy, the man of my dreams, my soulmate! That by far was the best thing about my wedding day.

From black and whites

Other great memories:

all of our friends and family being there to celebrate with us.

being pampered...hair, make-up, you know, wedding day stuff.

the ceremony....the tradition of it.

a crazy usher catching the garter belt. I so wish we'd gotten it on video. E. crawled his way up to a blushing cousin of mine who caught the bouqet. We couldn't have hired a better entertainer!

From black and whites

getting married on my high school best friend's birthday and my cousin's wife's birthday...I am so bad at remembering things...it makes it easier to remember their birthdays...I did say easier!

I feel like I missed so much on my wedding day...but I've heard that's normal. I can't wait until my girls get married! I am going to the momzilla :) I will want everything to be perfect for them.

Cap'N Crunch and I talked about our wedding last night and I asked him what his favorite memory was from our wedding. His favorite wedding moment was that is was over....gee! I guess that is just a guy response. I was hoping for something a little more romantic like, "When I saw you walking down the aisle, all beautiful in your white dress, I knew I was the luckiest man alive." Hee hee. Wouldn't it be great if he could read my mind and say the things I wanted him to say? I suppose I was a little relieved it was over too....it was nice to go to our posh hotel suite and fall asleep in each other's arms as a married couple.

From black and whites

So, that's it...our favorite wedding memories. If you would like to share your favorite wedding moment, head over to Mama M's or just leave a comment here. See you tomorrow for more stories!

Will you marry me?

2010-02-09T22:00:00.001-06:00

I can't believe I am still going on Mama M's blog hop. I thought surely I would drop out after a day or two...but this is fun! It's like fun assignment for school - and I love fun and I love school!

SO, do you know what today's "assignment" is? Do you, do you? Did you read the post title? I wasn't asking you to marry me...I already have a husband. It was a clue...today's topic is engagement stories.

Now, my engagement story is not all that romantic...but the end result is what matters the most. I obviously said 'YES!!'

Cap'N Crunch had been out of town for about a month...we were missing each other big time. Everyone kept saying "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." I think if one more person had said that to me I would have knocked them out. (Hee hee! Sorry, that would have never happened. I am so not a violent person. But it's what I felt like doing.)

Okay, okay, back to the story. So, Cap'N Crunch was gone, but he was about to come home for the weekend. I had a pretty good feeling that he was going to propose. I had my nails done and went shopping for a new outfit! I picked him up at the airport. And it was my birthday....21! This was way back when...before all the security stuff that the airports have now. I was able to go to the gate.

As I was waiting for him to get off the plane, scenarios of the proposal went through my head. I was sure that he was going to propose in the airport. I envisioned him on one knee as soon as he saw me, roses were strewn all over the floor. Then I pictured each passenger giving me a rose as they got off the plane and Cap'N Crunch getting off last and proposing...

Time to wake up from the fantasy....none of the above happened. Not even close. Well, I did get beautiful red roses...but not from each passenger on the plane. (I'm giggling as I re-read what I just typed. How would every passenger on the plane know what I looked like? Silly Jilly!) Oh, well a girl has to have her fantasies.

Cap'N Crunch got off the plane and hugged me, kissed me, and gave me roses. Then we headed to the car.

"Hmm? What is he waiting for? What if I'm wrong...and he's not going to propose!" I might have started to get a little upset...of course I didn't let it show.

We get to the car, he puts his bag in the trunk. But then I notice he's getting something out of his bag! Woo hoo!

It was a card...this boy is driving me crazy. A card? Ugh.

But inside the card....it's all ooey and gooey and lovey dovey! It's one of those tri-fold cards. So I read the front, open it, read the second page, then open it once more...he tells me how much he loves me and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me....and then....

"Will you marry me?"

Tears are rolling down my face at this point and I say yes. Then the ring comes out. I could not have picked a more perfect ring. What a great guy I am blessed to have.

Okay, so I take it back...that was romantic. Or maybe it was my story telling? Nope. It was the proposal. I have a great guy. It's been almost 11 years since he proposed....awe! Thank you for letting me share my story with you!

Favorite Date Story

2010-02-08T10:23:00.002-06:00

So today's topic over at Mama M's Valentine's Day Extravaganza is your favorite date story (good or bad).

It's been awhile since we were dating...so I had to really think about this one. I have three that stick out in my head. I won't go into too much detal, but here they are:

Our very first date - because that was the beginning of the best thing! Dinner at Chili's for four hours! We just talked and talked...can't remember what we talked about?
Horseback riding - we packed a picnic lunch and went riding at the barn I took lessons. Keith had never really riden before. It was a very fun date. And very romantic.
A road trip up to Tennessee to see good friends of mine. This really wasn't a "date" but it sticks out to me because it was the first time I remember thinking "I can really see myself with this guy." I used to get annoyed with people so easily, but not Cap'N Crunch. We spent the whole weekend together and I didn't want to throw him out of the car, not even once...now that was a good sign!

Cap'N Crunches favorite date:

Well, he was going to tell me what his favorite date story, but I think the tv won...maybe later?

How I met Cap'N Crunch....

2010-02-06T16:55:00.006-06:00

Mama M is doing a Valentine's Day Extravaganza this week. Since I *HEART* Mama M and since I do not blog about Cap'N Crunch nearly enough, I thought I would join in the fun. If you would like to participate, head on over to Mama M's and check out the schedule for the week.

Today's assignment is telling the story of how you met the love of your life....

I first met Cap'N Crunch in September, 1998, at Bombay Bicycle Club in Jacksonville. Right away, I knew that he was the boy for me...not really love at first sight, but just something in me knew he was special and he was for me.

One of his friends knew one of my friends so we were sitting at the same table. Another girl was putting the moves on him - and suddenly I felt very territorial. I am not the kind of girl to get territorial or jealous...so I just knew something was up.

We ended up hangin' out that first night. We talked a little, danced a little, flirted a little...

Then I didn't see him again for a while. Ugh. I knew where a friend of his lived...so one day I went a knocking, which is not something I would have ever done. Except that it was Cap'N Crunch. He just did something to me. His friend didn't have a clue...he didn't invite me in and I left having not talked to Cap'N Crunch and thinking that's that. I tried to put Cap'N Crunch out of my head...didn't work.

I ended up seeing him out again in December. We talked a little, danced a little, flirted a little...

Then nothing again. I was not happy this time. I decided I was done getting all silly over this boy who couldn't get it right.

Well, obviously he got it right, because here we are...over 11 years later!

One day in January Cap'N Crunch showed up in the store I was working in....all cute and smiling. I was melting. Luckily I had worked all day, but I still had an hour or so left to work. I called in another girl to work a little early and I left....

We went to Chili's...ate and talked for over four hours. FOUR HOURS!!!! And that is how I met Cap'N Crunch....the love of my life!

I thought it would be fun to have Cap'N Crunch tell his side of the story, so in his own words...

Twas the first night of autumn in 1998....gosh, has it been that long? I was at a fine drinking establishment with my friend E. E was seeing his lady friend T.(lady friend? really?) T brought her girlfriend Jill ( that's me!). Jill was tall, had long curly hair, a beautiful smile, too cute to pass up (Cap'N Crunches words....remember! Isn't that sweet?)

I found Jill interesting considering the fact that she had just turned 20 and there we were drinking at the BBC. We all knew the bouncer! So, legally I should've never crossed paths with the love of my life. Call it destiny, call it divine right intervention, heck, call it fate, Jill and I hit it off great on the first night we met.

She was an assistant manager of a shoe store and I was unemployed at the time driving an S-10 pickup as my bachelor sleigh. (isn't he silly?) So I wasn't making money, had no job, and drove a truck (I have to interrupt again...I know, let the man tell his story, but I think it's important for you to know that the truck he's talking about was purple. PURPLE!). What does this woman see in me? I must have been good-looking back then or something because I didn't have a whole lot going for me.

Jill and I didn't meet again until a few weeks later at the BBC. I had been seeking out Jill so I was glad to see her, but something was wrong. It bothered me to see her upset, but she wouldn't tell me what was wrong. Then she left. (Wow! I had completely forgotten about this...My grandfather had just passed away and I was really upset. My friend T thought it would be good for me to get out...nope, not so good.)

I didn't see Jill again until Christmas night. Jill told me what was going on in her life - why she left last time so upset. Then Jill invited me to a party at her house in St. A. the next night. (My memory is so bad...I had forgotten about this too! And just for the record, I hadn't planned on having a party but I wanted to see K again...so a "party" was invented and an invitation was put out.) I wasn't sure about the party, so I brought a chaperone with me. (Oh, yes...I was such a wild girl that K needed a chaperone! He's so silly.) It was a fun party. So fun that word got back to J's parents and she got in trouble...(They were out of town and I didn't really think about asking or telling...I was 20 and at 20 I guess I felt "old enough" to make my own decisions....ah, young and stupid!)

I didn't know it, but I met the love of my life numerous times in a three and a half month span.

So there you have it...both sides of the story and they were totally different! I am so glad that I asked Cap'N Crunch to tell his side to.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when we tell you our favorite date stories.

Flapjack Friday and Five question Friday!

2010-02-05T10:45:00.005-06:00

Last Friday, Flapjack Friday was 'born' at our house. Cocoa Puff would eat pancakes everyday of the week if I would make them everyday of the week...but I won't because well, obviously cereal, cold and hot, is a staple in our household because it's easy and I love it. (Whoa! That was a seriously long run-on sentence! And I call myself an English teacher! )

Okay, back on track...Flapjack Friday! I really do love Fridays because it's the only day of the week I am not committed to something. No teaching, no tutoring, no dance class, no bible study, no MOPS, no commitments! Don't get me wrong - I don't dislike my commitments. I really enjoy all that I do, but sometimes it's nice to just be a stay-at-home Mommy!

Last Friday I made banana flapjacks (I really do call them pancakes...but I'm a sucker for alliteration!) This Friday I'm making blueberry flapjacks! Yummmmy!

I was going to do a separate post for how our week went, but I just haven't had the time or the energy, so here it is:

My week started out very scary and ended up very thankful. Monday night/Tuesday morning Cheerio had a febrile seizure. Let me say that I don't handle medical "stuff" well and I tend to over-react. This case is no exception. I was a sobbing mess when the EMS team finally arrived at our door. It seemed like it took them four hours to arrive...it probably only took 15 minutes. Once they got in the door - they were fast! I have never been so scared in my life. Seeing my sweet little 16 month old on a stretcher with tubes and an oxygen mask...and this is after holding her while she had a seven minute seizure...complete with eyes rolling into the back of her head, stiff body, and convulsing arms. I am not going to detail the rest of the night/morning, because I will never forget it and I really don't want to focus on it. The big thing is that I feel so thankful that Cheerio is okay and will be okay. She is likely to have more febrile seizures, but not more likely to have regular seizures. The studies that have been done show that there are no lasting effects from febrile seizures. So, I am thankful.

And since it is Friday, I am also going to participate in Five question Friday! Mama M hosts FQF every week. I love it...it's a fun way to blog hop. Head over to Mama M's for all the details and to participate!

1. What are you most afraid of?

Death....my own, my children's, my husband's, my family's, my friend's...

I'm so freaky about it. Cap'N Crunch will try to bring it up...not in a creepy way, but in a "let's plan" way....nope. Don't want to talk about it. I'm not even 'talking' about it here. Next question, please.

2. Do you use a flat iron or a curling iron?

I use a curling iron to flatten my hair :) I don't have a flat iron, so I make do with a wide barrel curling iron...it works!

3. Hands-free or phone to the ear?

Phone to the ear! Even though I do think about what they say can happen when you talk with a cell phone to your ear....that's another thing I don't talk about. I know I'm in denial.

4. Do you have a matching bedroom set?

Nope. And I love it. We have a hope chest and a side table that belonged to my great-grandmother, a dresser that belonged to my grandmother and a dresser that I got for a great deal at Pier One...the older pieces match, but the thing from Pier One doesn't...it's got to find a new room to call home, but we need the space. One day...

5. Do you believe in the paranormal?

Umm? This is a weird question. I haven't ever really thought about it. Yes. No...Maybe?

Well, that's it! I hope you all have a great weekend. Remember to be thankful!

Five Question Friday

2010-01-29T08:52:00.005-06:00

It's Friday again! I'm so ready for the weekend! How about you? It was a particularly long week for me....I chipped a tooth on my way to bible study on Tuesday and cried because I thought I was going to need a crown (lots of money), went to the dentist on Wednesday and sighed a sigh of relief because I don't need a crown..just a super-dupper filling, dealt with a sick kiddo on Tuesday/Wednesday - Cocoa Puff had a small fever for about two hours and lots of diarrhea, had a surprise visit from Gigi and Papi on Thursday - and I will just say that the house was a wreck and I was horribly embarrassed. I got over the embarrassment and enjoyed their short, but nice visit. So, what's in store for today? Well, it's Mama M's five question Friday and I think I will take the girlies to the library. And right now, Cocoa Puff wants pancakes for breakfast...so I'm off to flip some flapjacks!

From January

My view from the dentist chair...do you see the deer?

1. Would you ever vacation alone?

Why? I mean really? What fun would a vacation be if I were alone? I would like a few hours on a vacation alone....that would be fun! I would go to the beach or park or some place peaceful and read a book...preferably in a hammock. Now that I would enjoy, but a whole vacation, alone? NO THANK YOU!

2. Do you go the speed limit?

I am not as much of a speed demon as I used to be....I was once pulled over (and ticketed) for going 88 in a 60 MPH zone. I was 17. I cried all the way home. Then I tried to hide it from my parents and take care of it myself. My advice to you: Tell the truth! It was not pretty when they found out....and they were dissappointed which was the worse part.

Now I have kiddos in the car with me...so I am more careful....I still occassionally go faster than the posted speed limit, but it's only to get by those (BLEEEEP) who go 20 MPH under the speed limit. There is such a thing as going too slow.

What's that? You think I have road rage? Nope, not me. Okay, maybe a little....but I wouldn't if people would just drive right!

You got more than you bargained for on this question, didn't you?!!!

3. Why did you start blogging/following blogs?

Long story short....Ana, my bestie from high school, lured me in. She dangled blog "candy" in front of me until I was hooked! It started with funny stories from MckMama to sad stories from Bring the Rain, and Harper, Kelly's daughter (Kelly's Korner) to yummy recipes from Bakerella and The Pioneer Woman. Then Ana started her own blog, Ana's Antics, and I loved reading her blog - even though I saw her on a weekly basis. About six months later, I started my own blog...partially because I wanted to join in on Not Me! Monday (MckMama) and Show Us Your Life (Kelly's Korner). I have enjoyed blogging more than I thought I ever would....I hope our friends and family are enjoying it too!

4. Where do you shop for yourself?

Target, Old Navy...I don't shop for myself very often...and that's okay! I really enjoy shopping, but now is not a time in my life that I get to shop freely. One day we will have more money...but for now my job is loving on my girlies...give and take!

5. What was the song that you danced your first dance with your spouse to at your wedding...or...what song would you like your first dance to be to?

From black and whites

That's it...if you want to participate head over to Mama M's blog and join the party or just show her some love....that is what blogging is all about and what makes it so fun!

Have a happy weekend!

Soap Box Time

2010-01-21T21:50:00.002-06:00

I try really hard not to let the English teacher in me get out in public places....but COME ON! I just, literally - like two seconds ago, saw a 'professional' author use the wrong spelling of a word in an online article. My blood started boiling and I thought "J, calm down! Write a post about this so other people can avoid making the same mistake."

So, I know that I make mistakes and I don't always spell check and proofread like I should....BUT....let's talk about homophones. I won't bore you and talk about all of them. Nope. I'm not that mean. I would like people to actually read my blog! And I do realize that we learned this in elementary school and maybe in junior high/middle school. In all fairness, it's been quite a while!

Homonyms 101

The first one is the one that I see so often and really drives me bonkers!

Your and you're

Your is a possesive pronoun

You're is a contraction (shortened from you are)

A good way to tell if you're using the right one is to try to substitue *you are* in the sentence.

Take the sentence above and let's substitute * you are* for you're:

A good way to tell if you are using the right one is to .........blah, blah, blah. It works - so I did use the correct homonym.

Another example:

I'm only doing this mini-tutorial for you're own good.

Now substitute: I'm only doing this mini-tutorial for you are own good. Oops. Wrong homonym. I'll change it.

I'm only doing this mini-tutorial for your own good. Really!

Some other commonly misused homonyms:

their/they're/there
too/to/two
whole/hole
see/sea
deer/dear
its/it's
know/no
weather/whether
by/buy/bye ( I'm sure that 'N Sync was singing about homonyms :) "I'm doing this tonight...I know this can't be right..." FYI - I had to look those lyrics up. I don't know the words by heart.)

"Seriously Cocoa Puff???"

2010-01-18T10:03:00.000-06:00

Last night I was sitting on the couch catching up on DVRed espisodes of Ellen :) (I am a huge fan of Ellen!) I hear a noise behind me and when I turn around to look...it's Cocoa Puff. She has a little problem staying in bed sometimes...we've been working on it. For the most part, she now stays in her bed. Well, except for last night.

So, I now present you with the top ten ways to NOT stay in bed...These are in order of how they happened - and they all happened!

1. "I was practicing staying awake."

2. "I was just thinking about my new robe and how excited I will be to wear it." (I am attempting to make a robe...if I ever finish it, I think it will be pretty cute. You do know I'm a procrastinator, right?)

3. "When it rains, I cannot sleep."

4. "Thunder scares me." (Okay, let me just clarify that thunder has never scared her before and I know that she could have been really scared except that she was smiling when she said it.)

5. "My bed is not comfortable. I think I will sleep on the floor tonight." (I might have said okay to this one just to get her to go to sleep and then transfered her to her bed, except she was on the floor in front on the TV and apparently that's the only comfortable piece of floor in our whole house!)

6. "I need to sleep upside down tonight."

7. "I need some love." (I really have a hard time turning this one down. I know she's got me on speed dial! BUT, MckMama did a post recently on enjoying these times when they want you around...so I do! even if it is 11 o'clock at night.)

8. "Why are water and milk cold?"

9. "Thirsty." (I did not get her any water...I have to draw the line somewhere.)

10. And the last, longest reason...."Potty, again." (She didn't go the first time. I didn't even know she was in the bathroom until I walked into the blueberry room to check my email before bed...I saw the light on in the bathroom, so I opened the door to find Cocoa Puff kneeling on the counter. My jaw dropped and I started to chuckle at the same time....I mean, seriously?!?!?!

Oh, course she started crying because she knew she was 'caught' and she still thinks she won't get in trouble if she cries. (Does that work in any of your houses?) I got her down, saw that she went to the potty but didn't wipe..yuck, smelled her hands to see if she washed them...she hadn't...double yuck. She knows better, but she is three and it was close to midnight. We took care of bathroom business and I put her in bed.

The tears were still streaming at this point. I asked her to take a deep breathe - it usually calms her down. Then I explained why I was upset, quietly and rationally...I took a few deep breathes too! She calmed down a little to tell me, "Do you know why I was crying?"

"Because she got in trouble?" I reply.

"No, I was crying (tears start again) because...gasp...I miss...Papa...gasp...Nanny...gasp, gasp...so much."

I miss Papa and Nanny too! So, I snuggled up next to her and loved on her some more and told her some of the love was from Papa and Nanny.

Five Question Friday!

2010-01-15T12:32:00.006-06:00

Wow! That was a super fast week! And a great week...I started a bible study on Tuesday. The other ladies are amazing and I'm so excited! But I now have 'homework' every night! (Shh...don't tell, but I haven't done it yet. You know I'm a procrastinator right?! I really do need to start today though.) The girls also had a great time...Cocoa Puff has been singing a song she learned - all week.

Okay, okay, on to the five questions! Here's the drill...you go to Mama M's blog, read the great questions, copy them to your blog, and answer them! And if you're so inclined, you can read other bloggers answers on their blog by clicking on the links at the end of the post.

1. Worst trouble you ever got into as a teenager?

I was pretty good. I didn't really get crazy until college. And the few times I did get crazy, I didn't get caught....okay, well there was this one time. Oh, and that time too. Okay, maybe I do have a few stories....but this is a family blog. I couldn't possibly share. I should, really?

They're really not that bad....I'm just being silly. But since I am participating in 5QF, I will tell you.

I was a senior. I went to a party with my friend M. She met a boy, he was pretty cute. They liked each other...and well, they liked making out. She didn't want to go home. I fell asleep in the back of her car. I was spending the night at her house...oh, her parents were pissed. I think we got back to her house around 3 or 4? Not really sure, but it was late. Her parents had called my parents. I kinda sorta was a bad friend....hindsight, I should have taken the blame for M? But I didn't. I was a little mad that I got in trouble. M and I didn't speak for a few days, weeks...unclear about that part....I think we kinda made up, but it was never the same...Sorry M.

See, that wasn't too bad. I did leave out the part that I had a few alcoholic beverages...hence the falling asleep in the back of M's car.

2. Are you a morning person or a night person?

I am 100% night owl. Always have been, always will be! I also trained my kiddos to not get out of bed until at least 8 o'clock. This morning they slept until a little after 10!

3. Are you a one-handed or a two-handed texter?

What is a texter? Yes, I am kidding, but I really don't like texting. Yet there are certain people (you know who you are) that insist on texting me. Aaargh! So, when I do text it takes me twenty minutes just to say hello.

4. Democrat, Republican, or Independent...or maybe even Green Party (whatever that is).

I am slightly embarrassed by this question. I almost left it out, but then it would be Five question Friday. My high school government teacher, not that I remember her name, would be so ashamed of me....I don't know which party I should call my own. There. I said it. One of these days I am going to research and figure it out, but not today.

5. Are you a pet person?

We have a cat. I am allergic to cats. But it was love at first sight when I saw this tiny little kitten in need of a good home. So, now I am a 'cat person' trapped in a 'dog-lovers' body. One day I will get a great big floppy dog!

That's all Folks! See you next Friday. Have a great weekend!

Here's Your Sign!

2010-01-13T23:54:00.013-06:00

Cheerio LOVES to do everything her big sister does. So, when Cocoa Puff goes to the bathroom, Cheerio goes to the bathroom.

"Gross. Yucky. NO!" says Mommy.

But Cheerio being the strong-willed 15 month old that she is, doesn't listen to me...ever.

Today, Cocoa Puff had a suggestion that I think is worth sharing.

Cocoa Puff is finishing up with the potty, flushes and pulls up her pants when in comes a running, okay very fast walking, Cheerio. Cheerio thinks it's hilarious, complete with giggling - so it is pretty darn cute and it gets Cocoa Puff really bent out of shape :) - if she can get to the sink before Cocoa Puff does. Well, the story wouldn't be very funny if Cocoa Puff got to the sink first, now would it? So, you guessed it...Cheerio got to the sink and climbed up the two step stool.

Cocoa Puff asks, "Mom, Cheerio is not supposed to climb on my stool, is she?"

I answer, "No sweetie, she's not, but we're trying to teach her that...so we have to be patient."

With a little frustration in her voice, Cocoa Puff says, "Can you please just put a sign up so she doesn't do it anymore?"

I reply, trying hard not to chuckle, "Cheerio can't read yet sweetie."

"I know that Mom! You could read the sign to her!" my thirteen year old daughter Cocoa Puff says to me...ooops, did I say thirteen? I mean three! Sheesh! The attitude caught me off-guard :)

And since photos make everything more fun, or at least that's what I think, here are some photos. FYI - I was "encouraging" Cheerio to climb up the stool...so she keeps looking back at me like, "Really? You're okay with this?!!! Cool!"

Five Question Friday....Woo Hoo!

2010-01-08T09:34:00.006-06:00

I *HEART* Mama M and her Five Question Friday!

Here's how it works...she picks the questions (with a little help from her readers) and then she answers them and invites us to do the same. It's fun, easy, and a great way to share silly things that we probably wouldn't otherwise think to share!

Numero Uno....What's your "Comfort Food"?

Have you seen my blog!?!?!?! Cereal, duh! Well, cereal and ice cream...seperately they are both fantastic, but together....oh, yummy! One of my favorite combinations is Cap'N Crunch with vanilla ice cream. Maybe you should try it...but I won't be held responsible for the addiction that forms...sorry :)

Dos...Do you send "thank-you's" (handwritten or email)?

If I could just change one word...send to write...then I would say YES! But since you just had to ask, "Do you send "thank-you's"?" I have to say...sometimes. You see, I am a procrastinator. It somehow always means that my packages/letters will be late. I have accepted it. I try to correct it, but it seems like with every child I have it gets worse. I know what you're thinking..."Oh, sure blame your sweet, innocent, beautiful, silly girls. How could you?" And I will say to you...I'm not blaming them for the problem...I'm just saying the problem seems to get worse with every addition to my sweet, little family. I could go on and on, and maybe I will another day, but I have things to procrastinate on today! hee hee

Tres...If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?

Hands down....CLEAN HOUSE! Nicey Nash, Trish Surh, Matt Iseman, and Mark Brunetz ( I probably mispelled a name, sorry peeps!) My dream job is to clean out people's houses...not dirty houses really, just cluttered houses, and organize and redesign them. If you've been to my house - you know that I have my fair shar of clutter (I have two munchkins...yes, here I go blaming those sweet girls again :), but I love to move it around and organize it. And there is nothing more satisfying than a garage sale...or garbage sale as my dad calls it :) How fun is it to make money from things that you no longer need. I am totally GREEN! (Can't you just let me think I'm Green?! Please?)

Four...(My spanish runs out at three!)...What is your favorite online recipe source?

Bakerella is fantastic! She has some yummy treats on her blog. Warning....don't go to her blog unless you want to gain the Bakerella fifteen. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Five...If you had to choose: "Friends" or "Seinfeld"?

No competition....Friends. Courtney Cox's character is my favorite. (BTW - have you seen Cougar Town? Seriously funny! Wednesday nights...watch it....you'll thank me.)

So, that's it! Wasn't that fun? Well, I had fun! No need to let me know if you didn't. If you don't have a blog, you can answer the questions in the comments of this post! Happy Friday...have a great weekend.

Sleepless in the South

2010-01-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

Cheerio has hit another milestone month....she's now 15 months old! Wow - were does the time go? So, I thought I would write an update post...just to remember what she is doing these days!

31 inches tall, 27 pounds 8 ounces

size 5 diapers, although I think you'll be potty trained soon :) Obviously I'm just kidding...however I do have a cute story about Cheerio and Cocoa Puff's panties. I was getting the girls dressed but I forgot to get panties for Cocoa Puff. Cocoa Puff went to get some and brought them to me. Then it was Cheerios turn to get dressed. She walked away and before I could go get her...here she comes walking down the hall with a pair of Cocoa Puffs panties! I handed them to me and insisted, well maybe demanded, I put them on her. She is very persuasive, so without further ado, I present Cheerio in "big girl panties."

You are starting to talk more and more everyday! Words you say everyday are:
Mama - Mommy when you're upset
Dada
E-Ah - for your sister
up...very handy since you want to be "up" all the time
Uh-Oh...so cute!
Apple- you don't really mean apple-we're not sure what you mean yet...maybe food?
Words you have said, but maybe only once or twice:
Cat
Thank you
More
No!
Walking is getter easier and easier...and you're getting faster and faster! When Mommy came home from tutoring today you started running and smiling as soon as you saw me. You almost startled yourself because I don't think you realized you could move that fast. It was the best!

You are Miss Independent! Well, at least until you need something or want to cuddle. But for the most part you love to do it yourself especially with food.

You are a problem solver! At least that's what the doctor says...I say you make-it-work! For example: You love to climb and be UP. When you can't get UP you get the closest object that will help you get UP! You have gotten a box of wipes, your sister's stool from the bathroom, toys...you name it, you have tried it :) And this is the reason Mommy doesn't allow anything in your bed! hee hee

And the reason for the post title "Sleepless in the South" is...you don't like to sleep at night! I have come to the conclusion that it's something I'm doing...because your sister didn't like to sleep either...Oh, I'm leaving out one little bit of information. You both like to sleep and you both will sleep through the night IF you're in Mommy's and Daddy's bed. So, we've been having baby sleep boot camp at our house the last few weeks. Yes, I said weeks. I am a sucker and my girls have my digits! Truth be told, I love having them sleep next to me...SOMETIMES....ON A RARE OCCASION...NOT EVERY NIGHT. So, boot camp continues :) And considering Cocoa Puff is closer to four than three...I predict it will continue for years to come!

Teeth....maybe one reason you can't sleep in your own bed. You have nine teeth now! Eight front and center and one molar on top...and THREE more coming out very soon.

You idolize your sister. You try to do everything she does and when you can't, a temper tantrum follows. Yes, the temper tantrums have started and Mommy is not happy about it. When you don't get what you want or someone tells you "no"...watch out! You ball your hands into fists, throw them straight down by your sides, and scream/grunt. More of a grunt than a scream, but definitely loud. Which leads me to "time-outs." Yes, I have put you in time out. It's pretty cute actually. I have to try really hard not to laugh and even harder not to get the camera to document how cute you are when I put you in time-out. One day I'm going to break down and snap a picture. But seriously you are very stubborn.

You like to eat cat food, play in the trash can, stick your head in the litter box (although you have never actually done this, I see the wheels turning...you are very curious as to where Wes goes), lick your shoes, and many other unsanitary things!

Cheerio - I love you so much!

Surprise, surprise!

2010-01-04T14:28:00.015-06:00

I posted several weeks ago that my goal was to have my Christmas cards out on time this year(with a fabulous photo)...so I thought I would update you on how that worked out for me. Do you wanna guess first? Yes, I got them out on time...or No, I did not get them out on time?

Drum roll please...........and the answer is: "No, I did not get them out on time," says me, in a very small, ashamed voice. I'm not ashamed because they were late...I actually look forward to stragglers in my mailbox. Don't you think it's fun to get cards throughout January as well as December? I really have accepted the fact that I AM A PROCRASTINATOR! but, this year, I really wanted to have everything done and shipped out on time. Oh, well, I will get over it..."Maybe next year?!!" says the crazy delusional Fruit Loop.

__________________________________________________

December was a little bit of a blur to me this year. It seemed like there was so much to do and no one to do it....what? I should have been the one doing it all? Oh! Now it makes sense :) Every year, I have this riduculously long list of things I want to do before Christmas...you know, to make it special for the girls and my husband and I. This year was no different...really long list - maybe even longer because Cocoa Puff is getting older and understanding more. I accepted the fact it wasn't all going to get done early in the month, but it was still hard to let go. I always want everything to be perfect, but rarely do I live up to my standards.

So, this year, I did enjoy everything we did get to do....numerous trips to see Christmas lights (that I actually posted about), hot chocolate by the fire, cookies made for my favorite girls with my favorite 3 year old, hours spent reading fun Christmas books - some new, some old, and some classics! And I actually paid attention to the girls' reactions to everything we did. Sure we missed out on some of the fun things I wanted to do (going down to the River walk to see all of the lights and Christmas decorations the city put up, go to the "North Pole" to see Santa and all of the fun activities they had for the kiddos, etc), but I appreciated what we did more than I would have if we had done it all! Maybe next year we'll do the things we didn't get to do this year. Here are a few photos from the season! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season...Happy New Year!

Lights!

2009-12-21T15:10:00.004-06:00

One of the things I love most about this season is LIGHTS! Cap'N Crunch and I have been making it a point to look at lights every few nights with our girls....they love it and so do we. Cheerio gabs the whole time :)

Here are a few of the spectacular displays we've seen this year:

This is ONE home - just so you know!

The next three pictures are a business - can you guess what business? Okay, I'll tell you. The Electric Company...I really don't know which one specifically. My cereal bunch and I were driving home from a day trip when we saw these brillantly illuminated trees. Cap'N Crunch turned the car around. Both girls were sleeping. We were thinking about waking them up to see. I decided to take picutres instead to show them when we got home. They woke up anyway-at least for a few moments. After we were back on the boring road, they fell asleep again.

We've seen many more light displays, but these two are by far our favorites this year!

Happy Holidays :)

Bah Hum Bug!

2009-12-13T13:33:00.009-06:00

Okay, no not really, but...

I have been having a really hard time being festive this year! "Really?" you ask. Well, yes really. And shame on me! I know. I have two amazing excited girlies...well, one is excited about Christmas and the other one is just excited about everything :)

I had originally planned the month of December to be one BIG party for us. Maybe party isn't the right word - but I had something fun and festive planned everyday. I had planned on blogging about our activity everyday. Now, it's almost the middle of December and I haven't blogged once. We also haven't done everything I set out for us to do, but my cereal bunch and I have done a few festive things. I will try to keep it short, but no promises...here goes!

On the first day of December our family got a tree (think 12 Days of Christmas in your head!). It was the first time in eleven years that Captain Crunch and I have been getting a Christmas tree that we bought the FIRST one we looked at. Maybe we should have looked a few more up and down, but it was cold (you know, for the South) and we all really did like the first tree. So, here it is.

We took the tree home, put it up, strung the lights all around, then while Captain Crunch was untangling the red beads I love so much, I decided that our tree would be fabulous and simple this year...just lights and three strands of red beads and no ornaments. GASP! No ornaments?!!? Well, no. You see Cheerio is a very curious little gal and she doesn't listen very well, so instead of constant frustration on both our parts, I decided no ornaments. Brilliant, right? Okay, maybe not brilliant, but it did save a little of my sanity.

I intended on typing more...but it might not get posted until February. So...I'm going to post this and see what happens tomorrow! I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season! Enjoy it. Kiss you kiddos :)

Thankful

2009-11-24T22:17:00.011-06:00

Today I was saying good-bye to my students. I told them to have a great Thanksgiving and to remember to be thankful for all that we have. One girl looked at me and said, "I never think about that part at Thanksgiving." So, I challenged all of them to think about what they're most thankful for and tell someone.

That got me to thinking...What am I most thankful for? I have so much. And I take it for granted everyday...so today, when Captain Crunch got home, we talked about being thankful. We are thankful for our healthy, smart, beautiful (inside and out), funny, silly girls. We are, of course, thankful for each other and our health. We are thankful for all of the wonderful things God does for us. We are thankful for our cozy home and green backyard. We are thankful!

We recently went to story time with Corduroy. Cheerio was fascinated!

I am thankful for you....all of you that care about us and read about our silly lives! I started the blog to record our memories, but it sure is nice to know that our friends and family are reading!

What are you thankful for? Think about it and tell someone! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Look at this cutie! Cheerio loves to back-up to this fun Elmo chair and sit and read books from the basket next to the chair.

Cocoa Puff on a "school bus" ride at a local kid's amusement park.

And it's that time again....

Obsession - I am obsessed with the library! Did you know all the books that you can "rent" for FREE! Books about anything you could imagine! I'm tutoring a little boy...I checked out books to help me! Captain Crunch and I like to read Cocoa Puff a new story or two every night before bed...I check out more books! I'm teaching a writing and reading class...I check out books for that too! WOW! Now, don't think, 'Oh, this poor girl! She is thirty-something and didn't know about the library?!!' I did...I just never have taken advantage of it like I'm doing now. I have books scattered in every nook and cranny in our house! (Our library lets me check out FIFTY books at a time!!! Okay, so they let everyone else check out fifty also...but I like to feel special :) Hey - whatever works right?)

Confession - This is a hard confession for me..no, seriously. I. AM. NOT. KIDDING. I have gained two pounds since the last time I was on the scale...gasp! Okay, I'll tell you the truth...it's actually three. ARGH! So, I'm getting out my tennis shoes, dusting them off, and putting them on in the morning! I. AM. GOING. TO. CHANGE! Wish me luck!

Not Me Monday!

2009-11-23T23:05:00.012-06:00

I usually can't think of anything (or maybe don't want to admit) that I haven't done to blog about for MckMama's Not Me! Monday blog carnival. But this week is different. On a trip to the zoo, which was supposed to be a trip to the park, with our friends A & D, I most certainly did not leave Cocoa Puff's shoes at home. How would it even be possible to leave a 3 year old's shoes at home especially when you're on the way to play at a park?!?!? Really!

And since I did not leave Cocoa Puff's shoes at home, I did not let her run around the zoo with a cute boy with no shoes on...who would do such a thing?

And I certainly did not think for a brief minute if I could squeeze Cocoa Puff's feet into Cheerio's shoes...I am not that crazy and silly!

Five Questions Friday Time!!!!

2009-11-20T22:20:00.002-06:00

I did a Five Question Friday a few weeks ago. It was fun and easy, so I thought I'd do another one :) If you'd like to do one or just read Mama M's answers click here.

1. Are you a black Friday shopper?

I always want to go out and get the good deals, but I never do. I think the deal breaker for me is that no one I know goes, so I don't go because it's no fun to go alone....or at least that's how I think.

2. What was your favorite childhood toy? (think: Easy Bake Oven, Cabbage Patch Kids, Shrinky Dinks, etc)

What is a Shrinky Dink? I looked it up and I'm still not sure what they are...a braclet maybe? Whatever they are I didn't have them.

I had Cabbage Patch Kids....Cocoa Puff now plays with them. I had an Easy Bake Oven. But those weren't my favs.

My favorite thing growing up was a plain ol' tape recorder! I was a drama queen...I liked to sing into the recorder for hours. I would have conversations with my recorder. No laughing :) Well, okay, you can laugh, because I laugh about it too! I used to drive everyone nuts with that thing...what I wouldn't do to have some of the tapes from those days.

3. Favorite Christmas movie?

Family Man with Nicholas Cage. Captain Crunch and I watch it every year! We love reciting the lines from the movie to each other throughout the year at appropriate times. If you haven't seen it...rent it.

4. What is the "must have" item on your Christmas list this year?

I would like my girlies to have a wonderful Christmas complete with the memories that will last a lifetime....baking cookies, pictures with Santa, driving around the neighborhood to see everyone's lights, going to fun holiday events and being with friends and family!

In a fantasy world where money was no object, I would like a digital SLR camera with a variety of lenses, photoshop so I could edit all of the photos, a television for our blueberry room, a laptop, Flip mino video camera, a vacation to see my girls, you know, if money were no object, but it is.

5. Do you go all out with decorations or do you keep it simple and classy?

A little of both I guess....I used to like my tree to be pretty and stay with the same color scheme. But then we were blessed with kiddos. My cherished collection of snowglobes are set a little higher and can the munchkins can only have supervised visits with them. The tree is only decorated from the top to about halfway down where curious little fingers cannot reach.

I try to decorate everyroom in the house...at least a touch. Growing up my mom decorated the whole house and I always loved it. It made every room feel so special...so I try to give that to my sweeties!

SO - that's it! I had fun...hope you enjoyed finding out more about me and my dorky recorder habit from way back when. See you next time.

Fruit Loop

At a glance....October

2009-11-16T23:40:00.019-06:00

I feel so behind lately, but I guess I'm always behind. So, for the sake of catching up - or at least trying to - I thought I would combine what would have been several posts into one slightly longer post. Are you ready?

October was a great month for us! We:

saw Nanny and Papa when they flew in for the weekend. It was a very memorable trip...Nanny, Papa and Captain Crunch all got food poisoning! Thank goodness Cocoa Puff and I didn't eat the shrimp!

celebrated Cheerio's birthday with Gigi, Papi, Mommom, and the monkey aunt and uncles! We had a birthday brunch with the yummiest pancakes, fruit, and scrambled eggs. After brunch we had Gigi's from scratch cake....mmmm! Cheerio loved it so much she had to have a bath.

went on our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with good friends. The kiddos got to dress scarecrows, run around in a maze, go on a pony ride, see real Indians and hear them talk about their culture, and play instruments at a Jamboree! It was a great day.

went trick-or-treating not once but twice! The first time was on Friday morning at a local Elementary school. We had a great time.

were invited to several great Halloween parties! Cocoa Puff found out that she loves zombie marshmallows! And Cheerio realized her love of bouncy castles!

went trick-or-treating, AGAIN! What a great month....November has a lot to live up to, but with Thanksgiving, I think it'll make it!

And last, but not least it's time for Obsession and Confession!

Obsession: Taking the PERFECT Christmas card photo and sending my Christmas cards out on time this year. When I told Captain Crunch that this was my new goal/obsession - he laughed! Argh. I'll just have to show him! Ha. I'll let you know what happens.

Confession: I check my email at least three times a day. I'm sure you're thinking...um, why? Sometimes I wonder the same thing. It's not like I get time-sensitive emails from my bosses..they can't read or write yet (I'm sure I'll get emails as soon as they can. hee hee). I guess I just love the anticipation of getting new mail even if it's only an email from facebook, Ellen DeGeneres, or Martha Stewart. Sometimes it's an email saying I have a new comment on my blog! Wow...I heart those emails! So, show me some love and comment on my blog...but only if you want to...I would really love it. No pressure. My day would be so much happier if you would comment...okay, okay, I'll stop now.

Until next time....

Fruit Loop

Then and Now

2009-11-09T00:29:00.001-06:00

Cheerio Then

less than a week old

Cocoa Puff and Cheerio

Cocoa Puff and Cheerio - Now

Five Question Friday

2009-11-08T11:47:00.002-06:00

One of the blogs I occasionally read hosts a Five Question Friday...I thought I would participate this week. I know it's Sunday, but I still thought I would post. You can go over to My Little Life to check out Mama M's post.

1. What is your dream job?

Stay-at-home-mommy! AND...photographer and crafter and woodworker and teacher and about a zillion other things. I have to stay busy :)

2. What song could you play over and over again?

Just one?! Hmm? Well, I LOVE Dave Matthews Band - Crash might be my all time fave, but right now the CD that is getting the most play in the car is Augustine - love that CD.

3. Do you prefer to talk on the phone or text (or email)?

I am definitely a talker. Texting drives me CRAZY! I do like to email though - especially since I stay up so late...there's really no one to talk to at one in the morning...so I email!

4. What is your must have beauty product?

Lotion? Does that count? I try to put some make-up on everyday, but somedays I'm just doing good to shower and get out of my jammies. I do love mascara too....what a difference a little mascara makes.

5. What is your favorite Michael Jackson song?

Man in the Mirror or Black or White

Catching up...It's really been a year!

2009-11-03T12:28:00.000-06:00

I was reflecting today that Cheerio is a year old..plus a few weeks. A whole year! It really flew by and I'm trying to catch up. I was chatting to a new friend on Friday about the anxiety I felt when I was pregnant with Cheerio. "How could I ever love another child like I love Cocoa Puff?" I found myself thinking maybe Captain Crunch and I made a wrong decision...one was enough? Of course the moment I saw my sweet baby girl I knew I had enough love in this heart of mine.

I took longer than I thought to get situated as a Mommy of two...much longer in fact. It was hard. But with the help of Keith and great friends (some even far away in Washington who called a lot to make sure I was okay - thank you!), I would like to say that I am good. And Cocoa Puff and Cheerio are great...the best daughters this Mommy could ask for.

So, what is Cheerio up to now?

Cheerio - One year old (and a few weeks)

You weigh 27 pounds!
You're 30 1/4 inches tall - and growing taller everyday.

You are wearing a size 4 diaper, but we have the 5's already to go...I just don't want to waste any 4's...too expensive :)

The wardrobe in your closet ranges from 12 months to 2T....you have the cutest thighs ever, but they don't really fit into pants so much.

Eating - tonight was your first dinner that you tried everything we ate! I made meatloaf (yum), mashed potatoes, and green beans. This is one of our favorite meals...and now, yours too! You loved the meatloaf and the green beans, but spit those mashed potatoes right out. Cocoa Puff didn't like them either until recently. In general you are a great eater, but you can be picky. You really like to feed yourself and get mad when you can't.

You still prefer two naps a day, although you don't always get them. Night time is still about the same...you hold one or two press conferences in the middle of the night to make sure I still know that you're in there and that you're in charge. I try to remind myself that in 10 or 15 years I will wish I still had a monitor in your room to listen to your every move.

Your little teeth are so cute! You have four on top and three on the bottom with another soon. You have handled teething much better than Cocoa Puff.

Walking is becoming easier and easier for you....but I think you still prefer crawling.

Peek-a-boo and chase are your favorite games! Oh, Daddy and I love to hear to giggle.

You still like to tackle your sister and kiss and hug her. You also have a baby doll that you do this with...it's so cute.
You have just recently started chattering all the time. And you look at us like we know exactly what you're saying.

I love you Cheerio!

"I've got a problem!"

2009-10-24T10:59:00.004-05:00

Captain Crunch, Cocoa Puff, Cheerio and I went to Target last night. After stuffing our basket with all of the things we needed, okay wanted, we stood in line to pay for our goodies. The cashier has helped us before and she is usually very chipper. But last night she was not chipper at all...she looked really down. I asked her how she was. She answered fine, but it was just an automated response, so to say. Even though I knew something was wrong, I couldn't think of anything to say that would seem to help. Well, thank goodness for Cocoa Puff...she took care of it just by being herself :)

"Mom, I've got a problem." As I type it, I can hear how she said it, but you probably can't. She sounded very desperate.

The cashier immediately started giggling. Even if the the cashier's smile didn't last all night, I'm glad Cocoa Puff was able to get her to smile briefly.

Are you curious what Cocoa Puff's problem was? Well, I was too. So after we paid and were walking away, I asked her. Drum roll please.....Cocoa Puff needed popcorn! What a great problem. :) Just in case you're wondering - she didn't get any popcorn. We had just eaten dinner and she had ice cream after her dinner.

Obsession: Making people smile...why not? You should try it. If we all tried to make someone else's day better...wow!

Confession: We spent too much money at Target last night :) Who doesn't spend too much money when they go to Target?

Not Me, Oh, No, Not Me!

2009-10-19T09:08:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite bloggers, MckMama, hosts a Not Me! Monday almost every Monday. So, I thought I would try it out this week...

I did not procrastinate last night and I most certainly am not procrastinating this morning by posting....oh, no, not me!

I have never told Cocoa Puff it was too dirty outside to avoid having to go outside...I would never keep a child from enjoying the great outdoors...oh, no, not me!

I surely did not start this blog, in part, because I wanted to participate in Not Me! Monday...now that would just be silly...oh, no, not me!

Last night, Cocoa Puff did not get out of bed and hide. When I found her she did not say, "I was just trying to get back in bed." Captain Crunch and I did not tickle her and get her even more riled up, because certainly she should have been reprimanded for getting out of bed four times instead of being tickled. I am definitely not that silly of a Mommy....oh, no, not me!

And lastly, I would never ever put Cheerio in her pack-n-play to keep her from removing the movies from the shelf a third time (in 15 minutes) just so I could finish writing a post for my blog...oh, no not me!

So, how did I do? Do you have anything that you have not done? If you feel so inclined to share, you can leave your "not me's" in the comments of this post or go over to MckMama's Not Me! Monday post...but make sure you have fun! Now, I'm going to go rescue Cheerio from her pack-n-play :)

Bloggers Block....

2009-10-08T23:00:00.009-05:00

Wow, it's been awhile. This blog thing isn't as easy as I thought it would be! I am now really impressed with everyday bloggers...and it's not like they post just pictures! I am having bloggers block :) hee hee So, I guess I will just update you on what's been happening?

Cheerio turned one on September 26! Happy Birthday to her :) Her Mommy has yet to make her a cake....bad Mommy. She will have one this weekend at Gigi and Pappi's. On her actual birthday though, we went to dinner and had ice cream after. I put Cheerio's ice cream in a tiny cone, so cute, and she went to town.

At first, she was a little unsure of the peach ice cream.

And then she loved it!

I just love watching that video!

Cocoa Puff is great. Not much new with her. As much as she loves to please, I am starting to see more of the free will that I've heard about that happens at this age. I clipped a page from a magazine the other day and put it on my fridge. It says, " Celebrate your children!" What a great reminder for me....I saw it at just the right time.

Okay, really, I don't have any more...bloggers block is not fun.

Obsession: Finding a balance - so that I can do everything. Is it possible? Probably not, but I will still try!

Confession: I am 31 and I've just started making my bed - everyday. I love walking into the bedroom and seeing a made bed. :)

2009-09-16T14:15:00.000-05:00

Cocoa Puff's first "Big Girl" haircut

Before

During

After...I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!

Look out!

I had to post a picture of Cheerio!

I've got a booger waiting for you!

2009-09-15T22:58:00.003-05:00

I actually had to spellcheck "booger." I don't think I have ever typed or written the word booger before tonight.

So, here's how it happened....I'm making breakfast this morning...in case you're wondering, we had oatmeal. I hear Cocoa Puff call me from the other room.

"Mom, I've got a booger waiting for you."
My mind thought...surely she did not just say booger...but what else could be waiting for me?
I peek around the corner...."What do you have waiting for me?"
"Mom, a BOOGER!"
"Oh, of course...a booger. Let me get a tissue."

After collecting the prize I went back to making oatmeal. Now, if you've ever made oatmeal or even just seen oatmeal...you might be able to see where I'm going with this...I couldn't stop thinking about boogers. I decided to feed Cheerio first. After her breakfast was gone I decided to give mine another try. I stared into my bowl of boogers...I mean oatmeal and dipped my spoon in. Needless to say I had a really hard time eating my yummy breakfast this morning. Next time you're eating a bowl of yummy, hot oatmeal, think about Cocoa Puff and her prize-winning booger :)

Obsession: Reading. I have not been able to stop reading the last few weeks...not that it's a bad obsession, but I'm sure Captain Crunch would like to have his wife back. I just finished a book tonight. I think I'll wait until Friday before starting another one...we'll see.

Confession: I really, really want to finish writing the book I'm working on and have it published...like, really published with people buying it and everything. Maybe one day you'll see my Fruit Loopy face on the back of a cover :)

That's all for now...Pictures tomorrow.

Fruit Loop 000

Hello, My Dear!

2009-09-13T00:43:00.003-05:00

So, since I'm not busy or anything, I thought I would start my own little blog - I've been having fun reading other people's for several months now. Being so far from family and friends, I don't get to share my funny stories very often. Because when I do call or email, I forget all the everyday silly things that happen in our house. Now, I have a notebook to write my thoughts and the girlies funny moments down in. Plus, the idea of a creative outlet, just for me, is a great thing. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too.

The other day Cocoa Puff, our 3 year old, was in the bathtub when she handed me a teacup and said, "Would you like some tea, my dear?" I almost fell off the top of the potty (I wasn't going or anything, just sitting, watching). More and more funny things are coming out of her little mouth. Just like my new nickname - "Momsy." Where do they come up with this stuff? I love it though.

Cheerio, the 11 1/2 month old, is, as Captain Crunch says, almost walking. Not quite sure how I feel about this yet....I'll let you know when it happens. And yes, I do realize her birthday is in two weeks. But I have decided to postpone her birthday...can I do that? She'll never know, right? Unless you tell her...surely you are not going to tell her. I do have a reason - or two - for postponing it. I am a procrastinator, number one; I am waiting on a recipe from a certain Aunt who is withholding said recipe until we move home, number two; and number three...I am a procrastinator. It's not like she's not going to have a party.

Obsession: Cereal. I love cereal. I love eating it, buying it, looking at it, storing it in my pantry, shopping for it, munching on it, thinking about it, blogging about it...I could go on. But if I go on much more, certainly the men with the white jacket would arrive at my door. One more thing - I could eat cereal for breakfast lunch and dinner and even snacks. I have even nicknamed my family with cereal names for my blog. If you know their real names, please use the nicknames on the blog...Thanks!

Confession: I really do love cereal. (You thought I was going to tell you something else didn't you? hee hee I still love cereal!) Maybe next time I will tell you something more serious.

Since I want to have pictures on this post, I did what any Momsy would do - I went into Cocoa Puff's and Cheerio's rooms and took pictures...I didn't wake them up or anything. Well, Cocoa Puff almost woke up...just enough to put Skipit over her head to protect her from the flash.

Cheerio sleeps in every inch of her bed!

Cocoa Puff...what a cutie!

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment - you know, if you would like to.