Christmas

OH! The joy of children at Christmas! Our trees are up. But there's still a mess to be picked up, but I'm taking it all in stride. Decorating the tree this year with two little ones was a hoot and went a lot smoother than I had anticipated. Brother got the concept and walked his ornament of choice to Daddy to help him put it on the tree ... and take it back off. For those of you who know my son, you know he has quick hands, so I had to guard the ornament box while everyone decorated. But that gave me the opportunity to explain to Millie Bug the stories behind the ornaments. Our favorites were the ones Granny had given us. Most had a little card in her handwriting. The most memorable: the cat in a stroller "To: Amelia From: Granny My Queen." Love that we have that to share with the children. What great memories! Afterward, we bundled up for books, sweets and coffee at Barnes & Noble. We finished the evening off with "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Christmas Vacation" for the adults. I could watch that movie 10 times in the middle of July and still laugh so hard. My fave "A Christmas Story" awaits.

Can't wait for Polyphonic Spree next weekend. And shopping! Went to Canton last week for a few goodies, and I'm looking forward to Ikea, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie! Houston's salmon!

The kids have been eyeing those darn toy advertisements on TV to which Millie Bug yells, "I want that, I want that." Reminds me of carrying around the Sears wish book for a whole month, black magic marker circles, dog ears and all.
Eric and I are going to try to keep it simple this year. I wish I could say for principle, but to be honest, space is our big issue. I came across a woman who buys her children three gifts from Santa to echo the three gifts the wisemen gave Jesus. I think that's a good idea. A great way to teach the children the significance of gift-giving at Christmas anyway. That's been our goal, but we have yet to make it happen. Always go overboard.

Tonight's Eric's work Christmas party. (Or baby-making time, others joke. We don't laugh anymore.) But I'm taking a baby factory hiatus this year. Instead, I simply am looking forward to dressing up. I love to dress up! Berry-stained lips sound nice.

If you were a tree, what kind would you be?

A Bradford Pear.

Isn't it breathtaking? My photography does no justice to this shade tree in my father's backyard.
Can't help but picture God as artist, this his beautiful water-colored masterpiece.

Thanksgiving

The garland Millie Bug and I made. Very into those things.

Lovely and yet bittersweet. There's much to be thankful for -- family, friends, good health. God answered our prayers and Grandma Vicky was released from the hospital the day before Thanksgiving. This is her holiday. We wanted it to be special for her because of all the Thanksgivings before that she stayed up till 4 in the morning making sure the turkey, dressing and candied yams were special just for us. She slept most of the day, but she did wake once coughing. I asked her if she wanted water. She said no, she wanted candied yams. And I complied. Yes, there is much to be thankful for.

Millie Bug and her cousins gettin' their grub on.

Thirtysomething

I celebrated another year of life in November. Thanks, Mom and Dad. To honor the special day, I bought myself cupcakes: red velvet with cream cheese icing, of course! Not really sure how I feel about my 30s. But the cupcakes help. And please notice that after 3X years of life, patience is not a virtue of which I possess.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We give thanks to God. Colossians 1:3

Fall Photo Shoot

OK. I'm horrible at being patient. I was hoping to unveil these for Christmas cards and/or family gifts, but I'm about to burst. Please go to www.britneysmithphotography.com, click on her blog, and check out my children.
I think Britney did a wonderful job! For us, photo shoots are always stressful for me. I guess because I look at it as an investment, and I just want to give the photographer all the best to work with, mainly well-behaved children. Shoots always involve very thorough planning -- the best time to bathe and dress the children; the optimum time to photograph around meals, snacks and naps; and the perfect outfits. And most important: a Daddy who isn't cranky.
I mean I've even had to take breaks during photo sessions to nurse my children, so flexible photogs are a must for us, as well as someone who loves children.
Britney is so great to work with, and my children love her. She is a sorority sister of mine whom I advised as a chapter officer, so Millie Bug and Brother have been able to get to know her for a while. Back in the spring I believe, she used the children as models to increase her portfolio of children's work. And it was such a great experience, I decided to have her shoot us for Brother's one-year/fall/Christmas photos. I haven't even seen all of the pics, but I'm so satisfied with what she blogged already. My heart just fills with joy looking at them! I hope you love them as much as I do.

Escape Artist

Brother post strip, which included the playpen.

If I didn't know any better, I would think my son was fathered by Spiderman or a monkey. I think most mothers of baby boys would agree they love, love, love to climb. So quick and agile. Just this week mine has mysteriously scampered from the bed for a 30-minute unattended romp in the office. Found him with the fax machine.
And apparently he loves to strip. Didn't know he had the ability to escape the confines of his clothing, either. But he does and likes it. (That's how I know he's Eric's.)
And then last night, after a fit in the playpen, I heard a thud and ran to the living room. Here he comes walking along glancing back every now and then I guess in amazement at his own accomplishment. The kid had scaled his playpen.
What's a mother to do? What's next? All I know is that playpen has been my saving grace. It's allowed me to get work and housework done. At the moment, all I can think of is that "Saturday Night Live" skit with Mike Myers "chained" to the monkey bars with his kid leash. Hummm.

Millie Bug & Brother

Since the moment we brought Brother home, Millie Bug has always reached for his hand in the car.

Playing house. Sissy is comforting baby because the daddy apparently just chunked her across the table.

Makes my heart happy. Nite-nite.

How Quickly Things Change

Ready to share

Uh. Not so ready to share.

Visions of Sugar Plums

Millie Bug and I had girls night out at the library last night. We're wild like that. The junior and senior companies of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet performed excerpts from "The Nutcracker." Millie Bug was in awe of the dancers and their real tutus and was very bothered by the fact "the little boy took the little girl's doll from her." I loved watching her watch the performance and clap after each act.

Afterward, she was able to get the ballerinas' autographs. That was a treat. In the car ride on our way home, we called Mimi and Amelia told her she couldn't get on stage and said, "Poor Mia." I hope that means she is looking forward to getting on stage herself and performing one day. Her recital is in May, so we'll see then. I think she's old enough to appreciate the Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon this year, so that's something else to look forward to this holiday season.

Now I'm off. There's a little ballerina waiting for her tights and ballet bun!

Kate Gosselin

Like millions of mothers out there, I am a huge fan of "Jon & Kate Plus 8." It's a show my mom and I have been fervently watching together for a while. It's part of our daily phone conversations along with soap opera updates. Yes, I've made monkey munch; yes, I try to eat organic; yes, I talk to my husband the way Kate talks to Jon (i.e. the Toys R Us episode). Millie Bug even plays pretend with the children. That's how obsessive we are.

So, I was thrilled when she spoke last night at Central Assembly of God. She said she gets asked why the family's faith is not shown more through the television show. And her answer is editing beyond their control, so she and Jon enjoy public speaking arrangements that allow them to share their faith. Her testimony of God's faithfulness was moving. Several times I was brought to tears as she gave example after example of God proving to her and Jon that He is in control -- right down to the strategic placing of each of the six placentas so that each baby could receive optimum growth and nourishment.

What you see on television is what you get in person. The three of us -- my mom, sister-in-law Alanna, and me -- stayed afterward to have our copy of her new book "Multiple Blessings" signed. Mom was dying to know if she has any plans for an organic cookbook, so I asked the question for her. Yes, Kate said, it's fourth on her list, that is if nothing else is thrown her way. So that was exciting.
I've already taken a dive into the book, which closely follows the presentation she gave last night -- lots of juicy tidbits I had never known before. I left last night a bigger fan with yet another affirmation, that, yes, God is in Control. And as a self-professed control freak that's a tough pill to swallow. But it's nice to know I'm not the only one out there having to take
those big gulps.

Halloweens Past

Just thinkin' back.

2007

"skin white as snow, lips red as blood, and hair black as ebony"

2006

Would love to share 2005 pics just a little over a month after Millie Bug's birth, but her Daddy dropped our digital at the hospital at said birth. So we were sporting the disposables. Classic. Our Millie Bug was a plump lil ladybug that year ... tutu and wand.
The most precious I had ever seen.

One 'Spook'tacular Evening

Millie Bug and Brother sure had a wonderful Halloween, and we hope you did, too! The month has been so very busy, but it was nice to take it easy today and savor each and every moment with the children ... and the chocolate!
It all started with opening our special deliveries from The Great Pumpkin (aka Grandaddy and Becca).

Such a treat!

(Yes, I'm one of those mean mommas who makes Millie Bug and Brother wait to open mailed gifts on the day of the holiday, much like my parents did my sister and I growing up when we received gifts from my great aunt in California. The anticipation killed me. But it made the whole experience that much more fun.)

Inside the kiddos found ... "dollars"! Sweet!
The evening brought so many choices: Sci-Port, Pooh at Barnes & Noble, and Broadmoor Baptist's Fall Fest. We opted for Sci-Port, Millie Bug's most favorite place on earth.
Our first stop: the costume contest.

Here's our little contestants now.

Then we milked the goat and learned about scales in the "Bible Times" exhibit.

Milking the Goat (BTW, Daddy "got" skills. Goat verbally responded.)

Millie Bug learning about weight

Millie Bug balked at digging up bones in the planetarium, which severely disappointed her Daddy. Then it was on to the animals. Mommy's favorite part was a boa constricter. Wow! Was that thing huge. Millie Bug, of course, would have nothing of it. Brother on the other hand is no scaredy cat. Here he is petting the guinea pig, who was quite naked I might add.

And then there was no hesitation when it came to dipping his hand into the cauldron.

Scared Millie Bug; Brave Millie Bug

Millie Bug, well, it took some coaxing. OK, a lot of coaxing AND demonstrations.

A highlight was the witch's brew (homemade root beer).

Yummy!

There was a bean bag toss, a spider web (fishing) game, and of course the play area!

Daddy's not the only one with skills.

Lost her. Found her. She had already gotten comfortable with the face painter.

We had to pry Millie Bug away for the costume contest winner announcement.

And guess who took first place in the children's category! Our little conductor!
Daddy was so proud. Definitely the highlight of his evening!

And the winner is ... the train conductor!


All the Winners (above); The Prize

We're home now. The train conductor has retired to slumber, and Millie Bug? She's nurturing her brother's prize and capping her evening off with "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".

What a classic. And so was our evening.

Happy Halloween!

Mommy & Millie Bug's Tootsie Pop Spider Craft