Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas! May your day be merry and bright and may Santa find it in his heart to deliver goodies, despite the damage to his ears and self-esteem.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Holiday Baking

It's early in December for gingerbread cookies (HERE), but it's been cold outside and the molasses in the cabinet has been taunting me. I encouraged the kiddos to help. We're making memories and cookies at the same time.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sick kids

Both of the kiddos are sick. I brought Jac to the doctor this morning to see what was wrong with him and he was diagnosed with tonsillitis again. I brought him home and found a feverish, coughing Leah. The clinic was already closed by the time I got home, so I had to take her to the E.R. We waited for three hours to find out she's got the flu.

Emily and Alex are moving into my parents' storage garage. They're going to turn it into an apartment, complete with carpet and insulation. Zac and I went with them to Home Depot to purchase paneling. While I was browsing, I came across a really cool standing-lamp. I told Zac that one day we should get one, but he thought it was tacky. On our way home from Home Depot, what did I see outside by the curb? The same lamp! I jogged down the street and picked it up. All I had to do was wipe it down and replace the bulbs and it's like new.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving 2010

Zac and I went to Mawmaw's for Thanksgiving.

Jac watered all the flowers and yard decorations, Francesca demonstrated her newest dance moves and Leah sat and quietly watched.


We met up with Jenny at the park. Jena and Quinn also joined us. We took turns getting dizzy and pushing the kids in swings.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Friends and Pictures

This week has been an adventure. We've been in Louisiana since Monday and so far we've spent some time with Christina and Steve. I've been having severe allergies from Sean's cats, so I'm not feeling well. Fallyn came over to hang out last night so I made fudge (recipe found HERE) and divided it into batches to give to friends as gifts.

Tonight, Zac and I brought our kids to the park to meet up with Olga and Katie. We took pictures of all the kids (kinda) together.


After the park, Zac and I went to Chuck E. Cheese to meet up with Jenny and Reid for dinner.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Birthday, Holiday Shopping, Tattoos

Yesterday was Zac's birthday. I received a coupon for a free IHOP breakfast "on your birthday", so I gave it to Zac and we took advantage of it. The chocolate chip pancakes are amazing. Last night, we went to the movies to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Today, Mom helped me shop for Christmas gifts, so after three hours, we are done! To celebrate, the kids got tattooed.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Halloween 2010

Halloween was celebrated a day early since the 31st fell on a Sunday this year.

Jac dressed as Mario and Leah went as a makeshift Princess Peach in an Aurora dress since we couldn't find an official costume.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Hattiesburg Zoo

Zac and I drove to Hattiesburg to meet up with Katie so we could take our kids to the zoo.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Ice Cream Truck

Zac and I were taking a walk with the kids this evening and heard the ice cream truck. I never had an ice cream truck pass through the neighborhood growing up because we lived too far into the woods and our streets were narrow. Zac heard the little song being played, so we had to track it down. Both of these kids were so happy. Sonic and Tweety look a little crazy with the gumball eyes, but delicious nonetheless.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Anniversary # 4

It's hard finding costumes. I tried to find pieces of clothes to make homemade Dora and Diego costumes, but I just can't find the right materials. The kids already have their backpack and rescue pack, a plush Boots, and a plush Baby Jaguar, but Jac is wanting to be something else.
I found a Bride of Frankenstein wig for only $5 at Target (Party City wanted $20 for the same wig!!!) and I can see why it was so cheap. The thing is a disaster.


Today is mine and Zac's fourth anniversary. Jena came to stay with us to go to the fair, but we're not going this year. Instead, we let Jac jump on the trampoline in the mall and went to Build-A-Bear so the kids could each pick out a Smallfry. He's been begging to jump on the trampoline for weeks.


Tonight, after the kids were in bed, Zac brought Jena and me to Applebees for dinner. Our waiter, Big Al, was awesome. He was just so kind. He told us how he met his wife and about their kids and even brought us free ice cream.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Church & Art

Zac and I decided to go to church today. There's a really huge one in the neighborhood. It has two separate parking areas and reminds me of Hogwarts with all the hallways and stairs. I signed each of my kids into their own classrooms and we were given a beeper (like the ones at restaurants) in case we were needed. Leah freaked out when we dropped her off, but when she saw a box of dolls, she was like, "What parents?" Jac was apprehensive about his own class until the teacher told him he would be painting.

The whole church was packed like sardines. I'm not very comfortable in large crowds, or sitting next to people I don't know. The experience was alright, though. It's the first church I've been to that said "You don't have to go to church to be a Christian." 

After church was over, we picked the kids up from their classes. Leah was happy-crying and running to us. Her teacher said she was so good. Jac painted a picture of a turkey and didn't want to leave yet. I'm glad they're socializing well.


I've been drawing this week. So far, I've only been drawing babies that belong to my friends. I need to work on more detail because the pictures are very bland. The first is Cindy's Evelyn and the second is Katie's Spencer.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jenny

Happy Birthday, Jenny! Here's a picture for you and an overly-frosted cinnamon roll because you're delicious!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Poetry and Doughnuts

I found this poem accidentally while looking for poems to teach children. I really like it:

"If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging."

-Diane Loomans: "If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again".

We brought the kids to Krispy Kreme for doughnuts. Usually, when the "Hot Doughnuts" sign is on, the temptation is hard to pass up.