Do you hear an echo?

The kids discovered how to make echoes at the YMCA the other day. As you can see, they had a lot to say about it! Now every time we pass the room, they want to go in & play 'echoes'. Ah, to get the simple pleasure of being a kid...

Tis the season...

The other night we celebrated my MIL's (mother-in-law) birthday & had a nice dinner followed by presents & cake. Of course, that was after a second cake was picked up because they discovered that one of the family dogs had eaten an entire cake through the cardboard box. So after easily being on hold to talk to the local animal hospital & a quick celebration, off my in-laws went to make the dog throw up. We toured a few streets showing Son the Christmas lights while Hubby set up Grandma's new present.

Everyone loves singing happy birthday to Grandma!

On the way to Grandma's birthday dinner, Son talked to Santa on the phone & radio!He absolutely loved that & wouldn't stop talking. We thought he'd be on all night!

Aunt got a decent picture with the kids. Don't ask how many pictures it took to get this one!

Son & Daughter kept Grandma company which is their way

of plotting to take over unwrapping the gifts!

Grandpa enjoyed watching the grandkids.

Son had a ball rough-housing with his uncle as always.

The question is who is afraid of who here?

A few nights ago, we finally managed to decorate the tree & put some outdoor lights outside. After several attempts, we finally got the angel on the tree as a finishing touch! Now if only I could get to wrapping the gifts...

What every woman wants to hear!

Tonight Hubby & I were talking when this followed...

Son: Daddy, do you know where you going?
Hubby: Of course! Daddy always know where to go.
Son: Does Mommy know where to go?
Hubby: Mommy couldn't find her way out of a wet paper bag!

Isn't that what every woman wants to hear? Oh, I don't think so!!!

Do I have to???

There are always times in life when everyone has to do something that they have to do even if s/he doesn't want to. Hopefully this isn't one of those times! Now give it five years later & this image might be your spouse trying to get something off the honey-due list done. I know that's occasionally the case in our home!

It's truly inspiring!

It never ceases to amaze me how our children see the world through their young eyes, open hearts & imaginative minds. Today Son went downstairs for something & there he stayed. When I came downstairs after him, books were laid out individually all over the living room floor. "I wanted to make a path, Mommy. See?" Sure enough, he had! First of all, I didn't realize that he knew what a path was. Second, he was inventive to use anything to make something he saw in his mind. I firmly believe these qualities will get him anywhere he wants to be in life. It will be our joy guiding & watching him along the journey.


I'm sure Daughter will equally fun to watch as she is already becoming her own person. I couldn't imagine not having the wonderful family that I have been blessed with or the daily reminder to see life through my children's eyes!

Seseme does pregnancy!

Wouldn't it be funny if Seseme Street did an episode on pregnancy? I love how this mom describes her version of it!!!

Cherished memories

Growing up, especially during high school, if our family had trouble falling asleep they would inevitably end up sitting at the kitchen table eating cereal & talking about life. Those were some of the most memorable & important conversations with my parents & siblings.

This afternoon I was exhausted so while the kids napped at the same time (which happens VERY rare these days) I took a much needed rest myself & was asleep faster than I could say "Boo". I knew it meant that the kids & I were going to be up later but it was worth it. After Daughter went to bed (fairly easily surprisingly), Son & I had a nice time making a breakfast casserole for our typical 'Lazy Day Friday'. He was such a big help & I had a great time bonding with him during the process. Sometimes I'm amazed at how blessed we are having such great kids; we must be doing something right!

Daughter's 15 check-up

Daughter had her 15 month check-up today. Since her first flu shot, she's simply terrified of nurses & doctors so she was naturally very clingy. Once she got past it, she was much better.

Her weight is still in the 95% (26.5 lbs), height at 97% (32.5") and head circumference at 19". No worries since she's still proportionate. She got her second flu shot which was over quickly enough.

There were no development issues which a parent always worries about. She recognizes about 15 signs in sign language. Seven that she simply recognizes (Mama, Grandma, Daddy, Grandpa, no, wait, stop) & uses about 9 (Nathan, eat, drink, more, all done, fishy, splashy, beautiful, up). It's great to have a conversation with her. She says (at least that I can understand) up, all done, down & that. She loves to walk around a room simply for the sake of walking for an hour & half easily!

We also found out the reason that our baby girl (who normally sleeps like a rock) has been sleeping very lightly (like she wakes up if you cover her with a blanket) & crying in the middle of the night for the past week or so because her top left molar is trying to push through. So once again I'm right; Daughter is teething!

See you later!

Following the money trail

Remember the financial bailout that our country needs so desperately? Did you ever wonder where the money is going & when? What about the automakers who also need money so desperately that one CEO is willing to work for an annual salary of one dollar? I could probably afford that too if I made a living earning millions of dollars for years beforehand.

The problem is there definitely a domino happening here within our own country, and as a result, throughout the world. Where will it end? The taxpayers can't bail out every major industry to keep our entire country from falling completely apart as each family is already struggling to make ends meet. I'm have no clue how our country will get out of this spiral.