We're so proud

Last weekend we got to see Texas A&M men play basketball against Texas Tech here in Lubbock. When Raider Red, the Texas Tech mascot walked by, all the other kids and their parents with cameras started running toward him. Lucy jumped up to follow. I grabbed my camera and got up anyway - not especially wanting a picture with him. Then this is what she did...

That's my girl!! Gig'em Ags!!

As a side note, we've attended several A&M vs. TTU sporting events over the years, and I think this is the first one I've been to where A&M won - regardless of who had the better team. It was fun for us to be there.

Happy puppiversary to us!

Dear Pippin,

We can't believe you have been a part of our family for a whole year now. I remember how cute you were with your so called "full-blooded dachshund" brothers and sisters when I bought you last year. I think your previous owner's pulled a fast one on me. You are not nearly as cute now, but still a pretty good looking dog.

I apologize for all the times you've had to hear how "Pandora never did this" and "Pandora was so good about that" over and over. I bet it is hard to be the puppy that follows a dog that would be a saint, if dogs could be saints. Surely that isn't my fault for only spending about 5% as much time with you as I did with Pandora.

We've had some good times with you, like the time you chewed up Lucy's pink shoe. Or the time you decapitated a couple of our plastic dinosaur toys. Or those times you stayed outside for hours and hours, then came inside and immediately pooped on the tile right by the door. Ahhh. good times, Pippin.

Actually, you've come a long way in the last year. The kids all love you. I appreciate how gentle you are with them. I also appreciate that you give me some incentive to go for walks. I guess I'll keep you around for a while longer - just try to be more like Pandora...and try to make your nose all wrinkly and cute like it used to be.

She got them all cut.

When I was in high school, I was in band. One time when our director showed up at school with a trim, I clearly remember him answering the question "did you get a haircut?" with the sarcastic answer, "nope, I got them all cut." To this day, I can't think about a haircut without thinking about that joke now. Anyway, Lucy got her hair cut recently.

Before

She had been twirling it without even knowing it, and sometime chewing on the tips, which grossed me out. I made the threat that we would cut it off if she kept it up, and sure enough, she has much shorter hair now.

During

After (at a birthday tea party)

The Visitors

Last weekend we had some very special visitors. Grammy and Pawpaw flew in from Houston to come see us. They were able to attend the kids' Valentine's parties at school and meet lots of our friends. Most people were able to guess how they are related to us...just a little bit of resemblance between Brad and his dad :)

We decided to make it our own little "Grandparent's Day" and get some good pictures. Are they photogenic? I think so. This is in Kilian's 1st grade class.

With Lucy in the hall at school.

Finally, at home with a dressed up Camille. We really enjoyed the visit and appreciate all the handywork and yummy cooking that they provided while they were here.

AND...

Happy Birthday today, Pawpaw!! It's an important one. (We didn't want to tell anyone how old you are, but the prime factorization is 2 x 2 x 3 x 5.)

Sweet!

We

love

sugar

cookies

and

sprinkles!

One more reason I like blogs

Yesterday I told Kilian to go change from shorts to jeans because it was almost time to leave. He sighed, and then kind of groaned and jumped up and down - kind of a quick mini-tantrum, but without tears or whining. I grabbed my camera and asked him to do it again, so I could put it on the computer for everyone to see. His eyes got really big and he marched off to his room. I'll be using this tactic again.

Homework time

Camille likes to keep Kilian company while he does his homework. I love how they both fit in the same chair for now.

My resourceful boy

I am so pleased to announce that not only are our Sea Monkeys thriving, but our Amaryllis bulb has grown and bloomed beautifully. I don't usually do well with plants. or pets that live in water.

Here are the blooms.

Here is how Kilian saved the day after we watered a little too much and the whole plant tilted over and fell out of the pot.

Camille got tired of seeing the potting soil on the floor and decided to take matters into her own hands. No complaints from me! (oh and yes - that is a swimming suit on under the apron. My girls like to wear swimsuits around the house in February for some reason).

Next up, the butterfly garden and ant farm. Both were Christmas gifts and we're finally sending off for the caterpillars and ants.

Warning - potty training post!

Probably will not be considered interesting to everyone. or anyone.

Camille is really ready to potty train. She announces every time anything happens in her diaper. I stocked a drawer with training panties and pull-ups for night, but I haven't had that "today is the day" feeling yet. So several times I've noticed that she changed into a pull-up on her own when her diaper was wet. Other times she'll just bring me a new diaper and wipes.

I waited until the older kids were over 3 to get serious about it (I know, I'm lazy), but Camille is different. If only she wasn't so teeny tiny that she can still fall right through our cushioned Dora the Explorer training seat that is supposed to make things less scary for her up there. and the potty is "up there" for her.

Anyone ever tried one of these potty watches? I'm tempted.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=534066&cm_ven=Froogle&cm_cat=NA&cm_pla=NA&cm_ite=13528

Our friend Charlie

Odds are that all of you have already seen this (well over 80 millions views), but this is what Camille and I do for entertainment these days. We watch this video. Over and over and over. She requests it daily and I don't seem to get tired of it.



And Jody, Brad wants to know if you have been able to meet this family since moving to London??

Do they know what they are missing out on?

"The people at Consumer Reports magazine are at it again, telling us we're doing what we shouldn't.
For example, nearly 3 of every 4 Americans put cotton swabs inside their ears, risking a perforated eardrum, according to the magazine's telephone survey of 1,000 adults. Nearly 4 in 10 often eat raw cookie dough, which could carry salmonella."

What is wrong with the other 6 in 10 people?? I think I eat some raw cookie dough at least once a week...

The whole article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28993887/wid/11915773?GT1=31036

Camille funnies I don't want to forget

Our Little Cajun:
When it was her turn to pick a story, she brought me a big hardback collection of Disney stories, pointed to the elephant and said she wants “gumbo”

A New Game:
She loves to open up her brother's Christmas present and play “battleshape” (Battleship)

Pronoun Problems:
When asked where my mom (her Noni) is, she said ‘her’s going to she’s house”.

Why I don't blog more:
She often tells me to "put your baputer down”

Why she doesn't usually have hair accessories:
“hey mom, my bow is too ouching me.”

Insult of all insults:
"Lucy called me that I am a baby."

Free advice from me

- Always move the sit and spin out of the main walk way before going to bed.


- Go grocery shopping during a super bowl game you don't care about. It's not crowded at all!

- Brush your teeth right before you go to the grocery store, no matter what time of day. It helps me not want to buy sweets.


- A fool proof way to stop thinking about the shin you banged on the open dishwasher is to then rub your eyes after chopping a jalapeno.

- When walking into a church on an icy sidewalk, let your 2 year old hold your hand and walk beside you. Don't carry her. Then when you slip and fall you don't drop her.....yeah. That happened recently. She had on a nice thick coat that cushioned her fall, though. I was a little bruised.

So what have I learned? I'm a very clumsy, lazy shopper that has a sweet tooth!

A night out

Last night Brad and I went to the Teacher Appreciation dinner and dance at the school. We had a sitter come, which all 3 of the kids LOVED, and we had over 4 hours to feel young and free. I wish we would taken a picture of us all dressed up before we left, but of course we were running late.

The dinner had an Asian theme and they went all out! The food was great - especially the desserts. Of course all I toasted with were those yummy little miniature cheesecakes with chocolate chips on top. I am so thankful for all the great friends we have made here in the past year and a half.

My only regret from last night was that we didn't win the new high efficiency washer and dryer in the big electronics raffle. I just knew it would be us this year!