Merry, Merry Christmas 2010

Christmas... the joy of time spent with family, the wonderment in a child's eye and the really, really early morning!!

Fun moments from the holiday weekend:

1. Grandpa put an envelope into all of the stockings. Zach said "I have mail in my stocking!!"
2. Lainey was "Sassy Mommy" pushing her new stroller and Dora doll while wearing her purse and sunglasses.
3. We all enjoyed orange juice Icee's.

Dragon Fire

Zach has been talking about his fears lately - school, waiting in the dark while I get Lainey in her carseat and in his room at night. We were talking about his bedroom fears last night while driving home. It all went a little like this:

Zach: I'm scared in my room sometimes.

Mommy: There's nothing to be afraid of. You know that Mommy and Daddy will always keep you safe. What are you afraid of?

Zach: Dragons and monsters.

Mommy: I've never seen any dragons in the house. Have you seen a dragon?

Zach: No, Mommy. Dragon fire. My sheet is too small for the dragon fire.

Mommy: So you need a fireproof sheet. OOOHHH... what about dinosaur blanket? I bet that dragons are afraid of dinosaurs.

Zach: No, Mommy. Not a blanket.

Mommy: What do you think would work?

Zach: A car. A big car.

Mommy: That's a good idea. OOOHHH... car blanket will be perfect. Just think about how many cars are on car blanket.

Zach: No, Mommy. Not a blanket. A car (pause) or a house or sign.

Mommy: I think a sign is a good idea. Should we make a sign with markers when we get home?

Zach: Yes, Mommy. The sign should say, "Dragons don't ever come in my castle!!" You put that on the front and my name and your name on the back.

Mommy: Ok, bud. We'll do that tonight.

Later in the evening, getting ready to go Zach's room.

Mommy: Ok, bud. Let's go hang your sign on your door.

Zach: (walking to the front of the house). No, Mommy. We need to hang it on the front door or the dragons might make fire in the house.

Whatever helps to make the sweet boy sleep...

Thanksgiving

Daddy and I enjoyed a great day at the Thanksgiving day Cowboys/Saints game courtesy of our neighbor Leroy and Miller Lite. Leroy won a game day package including lunch, a photo and autograph session with the dancers and a Hummer limo to get us there and back. Wow!!

Of course, we were cheering on the black and gold... as were about half of the people at the game. The Saints won a nail biter 30-27 with their winning score coming in the last 2:00. Geaux Saints!!

Brotherly Love

Shoe Fetish

Lainey has a new shoe fetish... with her pink Crocs. When I brought her home from school yesterday, she raced to her room, grabbed her pink Crocs and tried to pull off her (super cute) purple boots. She has even insisted in sleeping with her Crocs on!!

I guess we don't have to worry about saving for a college education... we need to save money to fill her drawers with shoes!!

Happy Halloween

Shoelaces

As I walk into Zach's class, Ms. Brittney is tying his shoes. She tells me that Zach said, "Please tie my shoes. My legs hurt when my shoes are untied because I have to keep my shoes on with my toes."

I don't think that Daddy and I will be out-thinking this little guy for very much longer... if we're even still ahead now!!

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Rub-a-dub-dub, two silly kiddos in a tub!!

Last Game of the Season

We had our last blastball game and year-end trophy presentation today. It has been a fun 6 weeks!! Zach has asked that I sign him up again. I am so glad that he enjoyed it as much and Daddy and I did.

Pumpkin Patch

This past Sunday morning, we met our good friends, the Lofgrens, at the Pumpkin Patch. Melba's cousin and her family also joined us. Everyone had a great time enjoying the barrel train, hayride, bounce houses and good company.

Alaina's Happy Gram!

Lainey received a Happy Gram! at school yesterday. It said:
"Alaina loves art time. She enjoyed painting and coloring her art work. Great job Alaina..."

I guess it's time to shop in the Crayola aisle in Wal-mart!!

It Hurts My Tummy

Ok, I admit it... I officially fuss at Lainey too much about taking out her ponytails and bows. This was very obvious after today's conversation in the car with Zach.

Zach: Mommy, Lainey is pulling her hair out. Stop, Lainey.
Mommy: I know Zachy. She frustrates me when she always pulls her hair out.
Zach: Mommy, my tummy hurts. Lainey makes my tummy hurt when she pulls out her hair. Mommy, make her stop. She's making my tummy hurt when she pulls out her hair.

Weekend Visit with Grandpa

Fall is (almost) in the air and Dallas has several events to enjoy the cooler weather. We had a busy, event-filled weekend for Grandpa's quick visit to Dallas. We enjoyed Zach's baseball game, the Flower Mound fire department open house, the pumpkin patch and the State Fair of Texas.

Daddy and Zach spent their weekend at the ballpark trying to cheer the Rangers to victory in the playoffs. Unfortunately, we did not get a win at home so the series continues. Good luck tomorrow in Tampa. Beat the Rays!!

Zach's baseball game:

Fire department open house:

Pumpkin patch:

State Fair of Texas:

And another picture... just because Lainey is so stinkin' cute!!

We Don't Ride Bulls

Me and kids were driving in rural Roanoke yesterday morning and passed several fields with bulls (so... I called them cows, but Zach told me they were bulls). Then, in typical Zach fashion, he starts telling a little lesson/story about what he's looking at. In this case... bulls.

This is the conversation we had:
Mommy: Zach, Lainey - look at all the cows
Zach: No, Mommy. Those are bulls. We don't ride bulls, right?
Mommy: No, bud. We don't want to ride bulls.
Zach: Bulls don't like red. They get angry with red.
Mommy: Yes, bud, you're right. Bulls don't like red. Did you learn this at school?
Zach: No, Mommy. On Shawn the Sheep, the bull got mad at the flashing red.

At this point, I can't help but smile. Who would have known that Zach would learn such life lessons, like not riding bulls, from watching Shawn the Sheep? Thanks, Disney Channel!!

It's a Hit

Here's one of Zach's good hits in the game this morning.

Play Ball!!

Daddy and Zach enjoyed the Texas Rangers game on Wednesday night. The Rangers won 11-7 and a homerun landed about 5 rows away from them.

So... the picture doesn't really show it, but they had a great time!!

Blastball Season Opener

Zach had his first blastball game today and he did great!! He had 2 great hits and did well in the field. I think he really likes it - he didn't want to take off his baseball uniform for naptime.

Lainey is helping to cheer big brother to victory!! Or... at least to a 0-0 tie.

Happy Grams!

Both kids came home with Happy Grams! from school today.

Zach:
This week Zachary was our special door holder.

Alaina:
Alaina is trying to say Please, More and Thank You in lunch time. Great Job Alaina.

Sugar Sprinkles

There is no reason to let a perfectly good cake mix go to waste, so I decided to make cupcakes with Zach. He picked out his yellow sugar sprinkles to decorate his cupcakes - he did a great job!!

Summer Heat has Broken

We have finally enjoyed a break in the summer heat and spent almost all morning at the park. Zach and Lainey had a great time!!

Shooting Hoops

A new part of our bedtime routine... shooting hoops.

Well Child Checks

I took the kiddos for their 18-month and 3-year well child checks last week. Here they are... just the facts, ma'am.

Lainey:

Weight - 22lb 1oz (17%)

Height - 31.75" (52%)

Zach:

Weight - 28.8lb (12%)

Height - 37" (38%)

Here are the kids waiting for Dr. Tammi to come into the room. Lainey sures looks upset considering that the nurse has only taken her temperature at this point. Stink eye!!