WW - Say "Cheese!"

As a parent nowadays it seems as if we are in constant pursuit of the perfect picture of our kids. Or, our kids with someone else's kids or well, even just someone else's kids. At times it can be a pain-staking quest.

But honeslty, most of the time... it just cracks me up. Take THIS image over at my friend Jen's blog from our playgroup Christmas party. Really, you must see it. I think only one of the kids is actually smiling.

I told Lisa, (my new IRL bloggy friend!) that I loved her "Christmas Card Outake" posts in which she was documenting all the times that she attempted to capture that "perfect" image of the three of them (or even the entire family). And I tell you what, she got some pretty good pics (it's okay for you to go over and see...I'll be here when you come back...I just linked to one good one!)

So here are a couple of my "favorites" of this holiday season. Perfect, dontcha think? ; )

(Little G was NOT up for picture time, can you tell?)

(The B Man - "Are we taking pictures AGAIN!?" Little G - "Hands off Dude!")

OH and go HERE if you want to see a Christmas-y pic of me as a toddler myself. (originally posted last year on Dec. 20th when I only had about 4 readers!)

For more WordFUL Wednesday go to Seven Clown Circus.

For more WordLESS Wednesday go to 5 Minutes for Mom.

Okay Fine, I Am Paying Attention Now!!

Sometimes I think we all need a little "wake up call." I'm gonna go ahead and call that little questionaire I had to answer at G's 18 month well check, my latest one. Either I was just kind of "asleep" when it came to observing his development or our little guy decided that he was going to bust out with his best stuff since then. 'Cause you know what? After watching him like a hawk these last several days, there is NO problem with this toddler.

The people that would potentially come and evaluate him have yet to call me back (more than likely because of the holidays) but I don't really care if they ever do. I have half a mind to call them off and tell them my boy is fine and they can scratch us off their list.

Here's the run-down of what the hubs and I have observed since that emotional day almost two weeks ago:

He involves us many times by coming to us and then taking our hand and holding it while leading us to wherever he wants to go. It's so cute, his entire little hand wrapped around my index finger. Once we get to his destination he's usually pretty good about helping us to figure out whatever he wants to show us.

Also, he's talking - Oh my Golly! The "talking!"

*Before nap today he made all the animal sounds in Sandra Boynton's "Moo, Baa, La La La." He also turns the pages.

*He calls The B man's name A LOT (Beh!, Beh!) and today they started a game where The B man says "Are ya comin'?" and he quickly retorts "NO!" and then they both laugh.

*Tonight he went and got his blankets that he sleeps with, went to Tim and said "nigh, nigh." In other words, he was ready for bed.

Those are just all things from TODAY.

He's playing like a mad man with his (and "Beh's"!) new Christmas toys and brings me whichever book he wants me to read. Yesterday he created a really long train on the train table and was SO happy with himself.

I decided to start to introduce the potty to him this week and he goes over to their bathroom and points to it and utters something that I can't quite make out, but it's always the same sound. When I ask him if he wants to sit on it he says his new favorite word, "No!" But with my help he sat on it twice today. Nothing came out but he was so happy with himself and said "bye bye" to the non existant contents while looking into the bowl! : )

Tim and I have been going on for days now about how we just don't think there is an issue. And all of our friends and family that have been around G since infancy were flabbergasted to think there might even be a problem.

So what do y'all think? {feel free to go on about how smart and cute the little guy is! ; )} I can tell you one thing for sure... I promise I will pay more attention in the future for ALL of our sakes (and my heart's!)

(G taking a break from playing "Superheroes" with big brother...)

Christmas Eve, Good...

Christmas Day... not so much.

Our Christmas was good until early Christmas Day morning. I have been debating in my head whether or not to mention that tid bit here on the blog. But the fact of the matter is, this is a record of our life and well, this one will definitely go down in the record books.

I am sure many of you are curious as to what I am referring to (I know I would be!) but I have to say at this point, it’s just too personal to go into. Please know that my immediate family (Tim and the boys) are not directly involved, only an older brother of mine and his family. And I ask that you pray for them and my parents, since they are local and their main support system through this time of difficulty. Perhaps as things work themselves out I will be able to give you more details but for now, please just keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.

I hope to continue to be my usual upbeat self but if I “sound” a little different on here for a while, just know that I am may be a tad “off” but will be fine…

So........ let’s move on, shall we?

On Christmas Eve morning I had the wonderful pleasure (is that redundant?) to meet Lisa, of Growing Up Mo, and her three kiddos at her house. She lives just 10 minutes from my parents. Now that is what I call convenient!

Upon entering her home I felt like we’d already known each other for years and the kids immediately started playing and having fun. We got to visit for a little over an hour and get to know each other better. She has a delightful family, home and such a welcoming smile. We hope to get together again in the Spring. Here are a couple of pictures from our meeting (she even let me hold her sweet baby boy and get my "baby fix!").

In the afternoon while Little G napped away, The B Man and I made gingerbread cookies in my Mom’s kitchen. We found the recipe in one of her "old" cookbooks from church or something and it was the best gingerbread recipe I’ve ever tasted. Plus it was easy to roll out, which counts for a lot in my book. The B Man insisted that when we made gingerbread men, we have mini M & M’s for the “buttons” and Daddy came through by bringing us some that he picked up on his Cmas Eve errands. I just love how that man supports our baking habit! ; )

Of course when someone woke up he had to have a taste as well.


After we baked our cookies we began to prepare for our Christmas Eve celebration, in which ALL 20 of my family members were present and accounted for as well as a BFF and boyfriend of my niece. We had a lovely meal and gift exchange. Thank God for this night. It will stay in my memory for a long time...

My nephew (and Godson) Daniel (2) in his Christmas "duds." Gosh he's cute, idn't he?

The B Man and his cousins Catherine, Daniel & Grace (G was NOT into taking pictures at this time and I am saving the picture that he is in for my WW post... it's certainly good for a laugh or two...)

A "self picture" of me and my niece (and Goddaughter) Megan who is now 17, has a boyfriend and drives. And now, she is mortified. But I don't care. I love you Megan! : )

Okay, so I have a "thing" for my God children. Big deal.

It was warm enough to be outside so the kids ran around for a little while before we opened presents. Little G was quite taken with this illuminated snowman.

Of course the kids couldn't wait forever so we had to get after it and open ALL this loot. Yeah, it's a lot a loot. Remember 20 people...

Here's The B Man diggin' in to one of his gifts...

And it didn't take long for Little G to get the hang ot if either...

My husband and his new favorite shirt (given to him by my Mother...)

Oh and here is my SIL Kelley with her VERY unfortunate while elephant gift. He makes fart noises under his arm pits... I get enough of that at home, thankyouverymuch!

After gifts we took a picture of everyone together...

Here is a pic of me and my three guys. Loves of my life, my Christmas angels...

And late at night the tree shone bright...

I hope you and your families had wonderful Christmas celebrations. I've already seen that many of you have and hope to get around and see more Christmas joy, love and peace. It is STILL Christmas after all...

Weekly Winners - 12/28 - The Year in Review

I decided to use this chance to take a look back at some of my favorite pictures from this year. So I guess we have to call this "Yearly Winners!" I have to say it was really hard to choose just one for each month. And I also have to give credit to June Cleaver Nirvana for this brilliant idea. Please go check out her photos - they are fabulous.

Anywho, I hope you enjoy the ones I have posted here...

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

For more Weekly Winners visit Sarcastic Mom.

Favorite Food Swap - My Goodies!

My Favorite Food Swap goodies were waiting for me when we returned home from our Christmas trip and I want to share with you all what I got from Simona. Here's the photographic evidence of the yumminess that was in the package on my front stoop (perhaps after ALL my Joe Joe's talk she understood that I have a thing for cookies!)

These cookies are made locally (near Chicago, where Simona lives) and I gotta tell you they do taste pretty close to homemade. I also got two Panettone and just like Simona's note said, they go quite well with coffee. I've seen these little cakes many times but have never tried them and now I had the chance! DEE-LISH!

Thanks Simona for the wonderful goodies! I don't think the cookies will last too long (or the little cakes for that matter...) since The B Man has had a taste too.

If you participated in the Favorite Food Swap and would like to link up go HERE!

Ode To "Puppy Chow"

Oh Puppy Chow, Oh Puppy Chow

How I do love thee so...

Please help me to stop eating you

So my hips don't grow

I cannot have you in the house

without wanting to eat you up

It doesn't matter, morning, lunch or

even late night, after sup

It's okay soon you'll be eatin'

by me no doubt, I'd say

I guess on my diet I'll bet cheatin'

but you're worth it on this day.

So, I am still home doing laundry and getting stuff together for our departure this afternoon/early evening and I was contemplating my addiction to "puppy chow." This is the yummy stuff that you make with Chex cereal, chocolate chips, peanut butter and most importantly, powdered sugar.

I had some for breakfast even. It's the perfect breakfast "dessert," I mean it has cereal, how PERFECT is that?!

I made some the week before last for the boys' teachers and there was only a little left over. Bet you can guess who ate it.

Then I made some yesterday morning for our playgroup Christmas party that we hosted here and unfortunately our friends did not eat it all. And well, we wouldn't want all that scrumptioness to go to waste, now would we?

The B Man doesn't really like it and when I gave some to Little G he licked it and then tossed it on the floor. What's wrong with these kids anyway??

So... I'll be taking the rest with us and I can only guess who will be finishing it off (thank goodness I am still running...)

Here's the EASY recipe:

9 cups Chex cereal (any varietty - I mix wheat and corn)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

In a large bowl microwave the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered for about a minute. Stir and microwave for another 30 seconds or until mixture stirs smoothly. Pour in vanilla and mix in. Pour cereal into bowl and coat with chocolate mixture. Once coated put powdered sugar in 2 QT plastic seal bag and pour cereal in to bag with sugar. Seal bag and shake to coat with sugar. Enjoy!

Love & Joy Come to You...

I am pretty sure I won't be posting too much this week (it's okay, I'll be alright... I think...)

I may autopost a Wordless or Wordful or both on Wednesday but we are off to see the wizard, I mean my family, tomorrow afternoon and well, I will be busy making merriment of ALL kinds and for once the ole blog might just take a back seat to such things! ; )

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah. If you haven't seen my holiday posts scroll down for our Christmas Card & letter, my tour of the house for this year and our Gingerbread house. Yeah, I am too lazy to link up.

Here's a little Christmas Past for you... a picture of the boys on Christmas morning last year with their "Santa" toys and matching jammies. Aren't they cute? Where oh where does the time go...

God bless the master of this house,

Likewise the mistress too;

And all the little children

That round the table go.

Love and joy come to you,

And to you your wassail, too,

And God bless you,

and send youA Happy New Year,

And God send you a Happy New Year.

(last verse to the Wassail Song)

P.S. If you participated in the Favorite Food Swap and have a post up about what you recieved you can link up HERE.

Weekly Winners 12/21

December 14 - 20

Most of these pics are left over from me and Tim's trip last weekend.

Full Moon

Big Texas tree

Nature at it's best

A crossing...

Holding on for dear life...


I "shutter" to think...

And a couple of the boys because well, it's my blog and I can post them if I want to! : )

Passed out

Are you gonna eat that clementine?

Go see Lotus for more Weekly Winners! And Happy Holidays everyone!