It's a Three-peat

Oh my goodness!! For all of the years that I've lived in Texas, I don't remember getting snow 3 times in one month. It's a three-peat!!





Ok... so the pictures look more like rain than snow, but you need to believe me here. It's REALLY snowed 3 times this month!!

Merry Christmas!!

The day was fun, but exhausting. Zach's exuberance lasted ALL DAY LONG - Mommy's did not, which is why this is posting one day late.

The first present that Zach opened was a super-cool fire truck puzzle. Before opening his next present, we had to open the puzzle and put the fire truck together. This happened with each gift that he opened!! He was such a good helper for Lainey and tore open her gifts too. What a sweet, big brother.

Grammy Noll arrived safely from NOLA and our good friend, Mr. Ernie, came over for Christmas dinner. it was a great meal shared with family and friends. We ate so much for dinner that we never served the pecan pie!!

I hope that everyone had a blessed Christmas.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas Eve

Snow is falling!! Snow is falling!! Snow is falling!!

We spent just a few minutes outside to enjoy the snow before naptime... and boy is it chilly!! The wind is blowing and whipping the snow around.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Eve!!

Well Rested, Well Fed

Everyone is waking up from naptime, which means it's afternoon snack time.

Lainey is really enjoying her new food item - puffs!! And Zach had to help Mommy pop popcorn in the microwave. He must be his Grammy's grandson because he picked popcorn over cookies!!

Christmas "Vacation" has Begun

Day 1 in the Ribaul family quarantine is complete.

If I hadn't gone to the doctor and heard with my own ears that Zach was sick, I would never believe it. He is running around with his dump truck, making puzzles, doing somersaults off the furniture, coloring Elmo and Uncle Rowlan, etc...

Please tell me, does this kid look sick to you?

And just to be fair, isn't Lainey looking adorable in her jumperoo?

I wish that she enjoyed it more since that would be the easiest way to keep the kids separated. I hate to repeatedly tell Zach that he can't give Lainey kisses... because he's just being so darn cute and sweet!!

Here is the masterpiece that Mommy drew of Uncle Rowlan at Zach's request. I originally had orange hair. I was very quickly informed that I was wrong - his hair is red - and so Zach corrected the picture. Do think he'll become a great artist someday?

Let's hope that Day 2 continues to keep Lainey well.

Piggy, Piggy, Oink, Oink

It's official... swine flu has hit the Ribaul house.

Daycare called to say that Zach wasn't feeling very well. He was laying down in the cabin during outside time and fell asleep while eating his lunch. They checked his temperature and he had a fever. Thank goodness I decided to bring Zach to Lainey's follow-up appointment to check him out thinking that we'd just hear "It's just a really bad cold" like last week. No luck - it's the flu.

Zach and Lainey are both quarantined at home and I'm supposed to keep them separated by at least 6 feet, ideally in different rooms. If only I could be in two places at the same time and actually make this possible!!

I don't know about you... but I think that Santa is playing some kind of sick joke on us. I don't recall putting "Swine Flu" on any Christmas lists!!

Mommy's Cool Dude

Zach and I went shopping yesterday morning. This is my cool dude enjoying the winter sunshine!!

She Just Has a Really Bad Cold

Lainey's fever hasn't gotten any better over the last few days; it's actually continued to rise. I finally made an appointment for the pediatrician this morning to have her looked at. We had a brief scare when I had to take Lainey to the hospital for chest x-rays because the doctor was concerned about the possibility of pneumonia after she heard some wheezing.

After 4 hours of running from the pediatrician, to the hospital and back to the pediatrician, we came home with good news.
Influenza - Negative
H1N1 - Negative
RSV - Negative
Pneumonia - Negative

As the doctor said, "She just has a really bad cold." Thank goodness!!

Get well soon, sweet girl.

Sweet, Baby Girl

Sweet Alaina is home sick with Mommy today; she was home yesterday with Daddy. These are the first "sick days" that have kept her away from school which is pretty amazing considering she was premature and has been in daycare for 6 months!!

This is a picture of my sweet, little angel taking a quick nap today. The flushed cheeks don't show as well on the picture as in person.

I hope she feels better soon!!

Santa's Wonderland at BPS

The family headed to Bass Pro Shops on Sunday afternoon to get a FREE photo with Santa Claus. They have a great set-up for Santa photos - they offer a free carousel, an electric racecar track, Nerf-style Red Ryder BB guns and electronic monster trucks to keep the kids busy during the wait. You're also given a "Bass Pass" that gives you a time slot for photos, so you can shop or enjoy the "free zoo" until your turn.

We will definitely be coming back next year for this fun event!!

Flower Mound Christmas Parade

It was a cool, wet morning, but I packed up the kids and headed to the 20th Annual Flower Mound Christmas Parade. The parade starts at daycare and ends at Marcus High School. Primrose had a float this year that I thought about joining, but figured that Zach would have more fun watching the parade. I might have been wrong since Zach kept asking to go to the "Play Park" across the street. It was too cold to play outside, so we had lunch and playtime at McDonald's.

Fun-Filled Holiday Week

It has been a busy, fun-filled holiday week. I was busy on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Daddy was such a great help with the kids and preparing the house for bunco.

Wednesday - Departmental gathering at Laura's that included tamales, salsa, beer and good conversation.

Thursday - Bunco at my house with a gift exchange. I served a Mexican fiesta with chicken tortilla soup, empanadas, corn dip, queso, chocolate mint bars and chocolate popcorn. The food tasted good and the house looked great. Thanks to Daddy for all of the help!!

Friday - The Gruma Christmas party was held in the offices instead of a hotel this year. What a great idea!! They served dinner and drinks, hired a DJ with karaoke and raffled off ALOT of goods gifts. Of course, my 9-year winning drought is still in full force, but a good time was had by all!!

Saturday - Melba and Monica hosted a Ladies' Night Christmas party and gift exchange. I came home with holiday soap and a sinus mask.

All of these fun events only led up to a holiday-themed weekend with a Christmas parade and pictures with Santa. Busy, busy, busy...

The Good... and the Bad

The Good...

Sweet Alaina is 10 months old today. Who would have thought that 10 months could pass so quickly?!?!

The Bad...

Daddy received a phone call from daycare today letting him know that Zach was pushed off of a toy in class and got a cut above his eye. The eye was a bit swollen and may turn blue. We were a bit worried, but it didn't slow Zach for a minute!!

I'm a Marshmallow

Zach's favorite teacher, Ms. Alex, gave us a note today regarding a comment that Zach made during outside time. As he stepped outside, he said "I'm a Marshmallow." He is the cutest, yellow marshmallow that I've ever seen!!

p.s. please ignore the small "accident" in the above photo. Right before I snapped the photo, he told me that he tee-tee'd on himself. Oops!

Zach also received a Happy Gram! today. It says "Zachary was such a great helper for his teachers. He also enjoyed singing Baa Baa Black Sheep."

Alaina was so excited that Mrs. Martha returned from vacation today. Mrs. Martha told me that Lainey was the first baby to smile at her. She was so excited that Lainey remembered her after being gone for the month. Welcome back, Mrs. Martha!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Thick, wet, heavy snow greeted us on this Wednesday morning.

Too bad I have to go to work instead of throwing snowballs at Uncle Rowlan!!

Safe Travels, Grandpa and Grammy!

We saw Grandpa and Grammy off this morning. May they have a safe trip home after our great visit. The week was filled with travels to Houston, play time at the park, Christmas shopping and Klub.

As always, we enjoyed the visit with Grandpa and Grammy and can't wait until the birthday celebrations in February.

Safe travels, Grandpa and Grammy.

Fort Worth Zoo

We had been quizzing Zach in anticipation of Grandpa and Grammy's visit. When they were here, we were going to "eat turkeys" and go to the zoo.
The turkey is done... now it's time for the zoo!!





Grandpa, Grammy, Zach, Lainey and I headed to the Fort Worth Zoo today. It was perfect weather to enjoy looking at the gorillas, tigers and mountain goats.







This mountain goat might be wearing a little boy's camo Stars baseball cap to bed this evening. Zach didn't listen to Grammy and threw it in the pen today. Unfortunately, the zookeepers aren't able to get things out of the cages until the animals are removed from the pens at night. If only we could have found a good, long stick...

As a good friend once told me: "The most dangerous thing for a baby is a rusty grandma." I now believe that!! Poor, little Lainey Bug had a small tumble out of her stroller this afternoon after Grammy forgot to use the stroller seatbelt. Hugs, kisses and cuddles finally made Lainey stop crying... I'm not sure that the same worked for poor Grammy.

Zachary's Happy Gram!

Zach got a Happy Gram! at school today.

"Zachary had an amazing afternoon! He was constantly helping to clean up toys. Along with being a good listener he was a good friend. Zachary shared his blocks and pushed Madison on the scooters. :)"

Aww... Ain't That Sweet

Little boys can melt a mom's heart. This is the conversation with Zach this morning as I walked out of the bedroom.

Zach: Mommy, you're wearing pink?
Mommy: Yes, bud, I'm wearing pink.
Zach: Mommy, are you a princess?

Aww... ain't that sweet?

The Children's Museum

The whole gang packed up and joined Landon, Natalie and Ella at the children's museum this afternoon. What a fun and overwhelming place for kids... and adults!!

Grammy, Lainey and I found the TotSpot. This is an area specifically designed for infants and toddlers. Lainey enjoyed playing with the magnetized cars and the mini ball-pit. As you can see, she is all smiles.

Zach spent the afternoon driving the police car and the ambulance, mastering the obstacle course and the rock wall and splashing around in the water. Zach especially enjoyed the Water Works outside... and his shirt was wet enough to prove it!!