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!