First Trip to the Dentist!

Today was Garrett's first visit to the dentist. He was well-prepared. We talked about all the things the dentist would do, which seemed to settle his nerves. He watched a little video about doggies and dentists and was ready for his turn in the chair!

He got some cool sunglasses to put on and then opened wide!

He chose the raspberry toothpaste, and kept licking it off his teeth!

He got so comfortable, he kicked up his leg just like he was at home!

Clean teeth, no cavities!

I lost Jesus yesterday

We've been battling ear infections at our house--both kids. Wednesday, though, Charlotte spiked a fever and a new antibiotic was called in. By Thursday morning, she was in a full vomit/fever/snot/whiny/diahrrea mode.

At 6 am, she started crying, and I ran and got her while still not quite dry from my shower. She was begging for water and I got some and she then asked for orange juice, which I also got. I quickly got some ibuprofen in her and her antibiotic. Keep in mind that I am holding her, her blankee, her baby, 1 cup of OJ, and 1 cup of water....all the while sporting my undies in the kitchen. I knew that if I needed Jesus any day, this would be it.

That's when Garrett started crying because she had woken him up. I carried her back with me to his room to get him out of his bed and Charlotte started throwing up!

Blah, blah, blah.....that's how the day started and continued, involving more vomit and crying. I did figure out that it is best to hold the vomiting child over your hardwood floors instead of attempting to carry her towards the toilet...it saves on clean-up on your carpets!

I did get the kids settled down at one point playing with our Fisher Price Nativity Set, which they love! All was well until we lost baby Jesus. We searched the house over with both kids calling out, "Jesus, where are you?" "Jesus?" He was nowhere to be found.

That pretty much sums up the entire day: I lost Jesus and it doesn't get much worse than that!

Garrett's Christmas Program

So, I'm running behind a little. Garrett's Christmas program at church was last Sunday. We worked on songs and hand motions for weeks leading up to the big day (and by that I mean I sang and did hand motions while Garrett listened).

Did you see the kid with the Santa hat? About halfway through the program, Garrett reached behind him and yanked it off his head!

I can't say that he sang any, but I did see 1-2 hand motions come out here and there.

What's funny about the whole thing is the big guy placed next to Garrett to keep him on the stage! Garrett didn't seem too happy about this!

This is the dear lady that when she told Garrett he needed to sit down, he asked, "Who are you?" (I think his problem with authority comes from his father.)

At the end of every song, Garrett clapped so hard--like it was the best performance of his life! Mommy thought so too!

Ghetto Fabulous

Every year at Christmas, I like to try a new recipe. This year I came across a recipe for "Poor Man's Toffee." I searched through several similar recipes and finally decided on one that was called "Ghetto Toffee." That just sounded fun! So here is my version that I tweaked a little.

Ghetto Toffee
1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

Enough saltine crackers to make a layer on a cookie sheet (about 1 and 1/2 sleeves)

1 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with butter flavored cooking spray (this is a must). Bring the butter and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan and simmer it for about 5 minutes.

Put a layer of crackers on the cookie sheet, close together.

Pour the brown sugar mixture over the crackers

and bake for about 10 minutes at 350F. Remove and immediately pour the chocolate chips over the crackers, evenly distributing them.

I let it sit for about 30 seconds, then with the back of a spatula I moved the chocolate chips just a little bit, slowly moving the chocolate around being careful not to move the crackers. I let it sit for another 30 seconds and at this point it pretty much spread like frosting.

Then I read that you could top with toffee bits or whatever you like (like dark chocolate with candy cane bits, white chocolate with dried cherries, rocky road, m&m’s), but to be honest, I can't imagine adding anything to this!

Then, just let it cool and break apart into pieces.

Oh, and one more thing: Try not to eat it all in one setting, or you will certainly have a Ghetto Booty!

Charlotte approves!

The Birds and the Bees

We came across a picture of me this weekend at one of Garrett's baby showers. I showed it to Garrett and said, "This is a picture of Mommy opening presents at a party for you when you were still in my tummy."

He was very quiet for a moment with a concerned look on his face. Then he said, "You ATE me?"

I have a feeling that this is not the end of this discussion.....

Ho! Ho! No!

We went to see Santa last night, as we do every year. We talked about it all day, and kids were so excited! We saw him come out of his "dressing room" and head towards his chair and the excitement was palpable. Charlotte was chanting, "Ho Ho Ho" and Garrett was timidly peeking around the corner at him.

Now, if you know my children at all, you know that their personalities are polar opposites. Charlotte is a "take-life-by-the-horns" kind of girl, while Garrett prefers to watch from behind the fence. So, imagine my surprise when I ask Charlotte, "Are you ready to sit on Santa's lap?" She replies, "NO!" And proceeds to shout, "Hode jew, hode jew." (which being translated is: "Hold you!")

If you had asked me beforehand which of my children would melt down at the sight of Santa, I would have automatically said Garrett. But instead, he was such a big boy, telling Santa that he wanted a train (which is good, because "Santa" is getting him a train table).

We couldn't convince Charlotte to sit on his lap, so Mommy had to get into the picture! Believe it or not, this was the best shot!

There is nothing worse than a southern crossing guard.

I had a run-in with one during the after-school hour yesterday.

You know how you're supposed to stop when they put their hand up?


Well, what are you supposed to do when they give you a good ole southern wave?


(No, I did not take this picture! I googled it!)

I was so confused! I stopped, then he gave me the sign to go, but then waved, as all good ole boys do!

I stopped, I went, I stopped, I went...

Finally, I just went. Not sure if it was my turn or not.

Why do we wave at everybody in the south?

Wyatt's Custom Slaughtering

So, last weekend, Randy and I got away for 2 whole nights without kids! Our first weekend away since before they were born! We went to Crossville, TN to Fairfield Glades.

There is nothing to do there--and I do mean nothing! It was suggested that we have dinner at the "Vegas Steakhouse" about 20 miles away, but when we arrived, we found bright green neon signs and neon pink flamingoes on the roof. I could not force myself to go in!

We did go hiking at Fall Creek Falls (about an hour away) on Saturday. We had to drive through some serious back woods to get there! I totally forgot my camera, but would have taken a picture of a sign on the way to the park stating: "Wyatt's Custom Slaughtering." Not even sure what that means...

We did hike down to the base of the "big falls." It was amazing!

Anyway, Wednesday, Randy had the day off, so we loaded up the kids and drove back to meet Randy's parents there (they still had the condo for the rest of the week). We went swimming and back to the falls. And this time, I brought my camera!

This is Randy, Bob, and Garrett standing on a bridge that crosses one section of the falls, where only days before I had a psychotic breakdown and nearly had to be air-lifted out as a fat man barrelled his way along behind me!

Once we got there, Randy asked Garrett about the falls:

R: Do you know who made these water falls?

G: God did! And then He went swimming in it!

Bargain of the day

So, I was at Kohl's today and found a great stocking stuffer idea.

They have 20 little cans of Play-Doh in the Halloween clearance section for $1.79!

I immediately thought of stocking stuffers, but they might also be a good idea for Sunday school class Christmas gift bags too!

Leaves!!!

Halloween!

This year, I had no clever theme. I did, however, make Charlotte's costume. Garrett's was a steal at TJ Maxx: a strawberry and a shark.

Garrett, who tends to be the shy one, loved the slide! The first time he went down, I was so afraid he would come up crying when he landed face down. But, instead he rolled over and shouted, "Let's do that again!"

Nana and Charlotte with what Charlotte dubbed her "purse." No amount of persuation would convince her to call it a bucket!

Charlotte went to every room of the Fall Festival and went straight for the candy buckets!

Here's a new one

What is this facination babies have with toilets?

Numerous times this weekend, Charlotte has been found playing in the toilet.

This morning, she dunked her baby in the toilet while proclaiming, "Poop! Poop!"

This afternoon, I found her with both feet stuck at the bottom of the toilet drain! Yes, standing in the toilet, with water up to her armpits. I was terrified! She was too. She is fine though, but I didn't have time to find the camera...although for a split second I did think of looking for it!

Conversation with Garrett

Garrett was in some trouble today, which included a spakin' in the bathroom at the local area Target store.

After dinner at Pancho's, we got into the van and this is how it went:

G: In the restaurant, God told me not to get a spanking.

Me: He did? That's good advice.

G: Did you know that God is in this car right now?

Me: Yes, God is everywhere and God lives in my heart, too!

G: I think He is at home right now crunching on some chips!

Wambaugh Photo Shoot!

Recently I posted about doing some photos for anyone willing to let me experiment with their kids. I only had 1 taker: the Wambaugh family!

Yesterday, we met at the park and let the kids play while I took some photos. Here are a few of my favorites! Thanks ya'll for letting me experiment!

I couldn't decide which of these I liked better!

Now don't the rest of you wish you'd taken me up on that offer? Think of the Christmas card possibilities!