Which One Do YOU Think He Looks Like?

Papaw?

Or Grandpa Charlie?

I think we are seeing a glimpse into the future.

One Hot Momma, If I do say so myself

TJ, upon my strong suggestion, got me a makeover and photo shoot for Mother’s Day.  This, to make up for the IOU that I got last year for the mother’s ring which conveniently arrived under the Christmas tree.  But I digress.

This Mother’s Day package was with our Photographer: Photographed by Ed and the lovely ladies at the Main Street Hair Company. I gave Kyri carte blanche with my hair; my only criteria was that I had to be able to blow dry and go once I was released on my own.  They talked me into highlights and I am so glad that they did. They turned out so nice. I’d forgotten that blondes do have more fun.

There ended up one other lady that was doing the same gift package at the same time. We ended up tag teaming in front of the camera and we had great fun “helping” each other with poses. I was on the receiving end of more support, I must admit. Ed told me I was his only client who had ever asked for a cleavage shot (which I think is good since he does mainly families and seniors) but  I figure that one will be TJ’s next gift.  And I must admit it was more of a challenge to get said shot than I imagined.  Thus all the previous mentioned “help”.

This is a sneak peek that I was given. 

I asked Ed later how much Photoshopping he had to do and he claims it was all done with lighting and makeup.  But I know there should be chubbier cheeks and multiple chins.  I don’t know what kind of magic he pulled to make them disappear!! 

This was such a great experience and one of the best afternoons of “me time” that I’ve ever had.

Many thanks to Ed, Missy and Kyri for making me one Hot Momma.

Hide and Seek

Hide and seek is a popular game around our house.  Mommy and Daddy can still play the slow counting scam but it only lasts so long before we HAVE to go find them.

THIS is what I found last night. 

I got to laughing so hard TJ couldn’t understand what I was trying to tell him. I finally just had to wave him into Tuck’s room.

Tuck was not happy that Kora gave up his good hiding place so quickly.

How many times can I say “Silly kids”?  I sure do love them and all the laughs they generate.

Christmas Decorating: Me vs. Tucker

I love this little sled.  It’s got a metal base and a little Longaberger basket that sits on top.  I usually add some pinecones and add it to some little ensemble.

I just love it.

But Tucker got ahold of it and gave it a whole new decorating spin. 

He was so proud.  And I was so proud of his creativity and context.  He was giving all of his “guys” a carriage ride. He has about a million horses but he picked all of the ones that were the same size.

Is this not funny or what?

Who Are You Going To Marry?

This evening after dinner Tucker and I were asking Kora who she was going to marry.  I already can’t remember how we got on the subject but that isn’t important anyway.

So we went through the list of each of the boys at daycare, in the neighborhood, and other kids we know.  Each time we asked: “Kora will you marry C?” To which she would reply every time with a shake of the head and a long drawn out “Nooooo”. So this went on for at least 8 kids.  Finally I asked “Kora will you marry Rex, our kitty?” Again she replied “Nooooo”.

Without missing a beat and with the most serious of expressions and a deadpan that would have made Uncle Garry proud, Tuck replied: “She can’t marry Rex, he can’t dance”

Where do they come up with this stuff!!!

Girls Day in Bloomington

Last week my friends Brook and Kim and I got together for a little girl time.  We always have such fun when we get together although it is not often enough.

You would never know by the picture that these girls are like 6 feet tall.  I was standing on a brick wall.

We shopped, crafted, ate, laughed and cried.  Everything that makes up a good girls day.  Love you girls!!!  Hugs and Prayers.

Playtime in the backyard

This is the closest I have come to a brother/sister shot.  Ahhh, that’s love, there.

Raspberries!!!

I LOVE this picture.  Talk about timing.

And then not so much.  But she has to do everything he does so we got close.

Kora is Dressing Herself

I put the shirt and skirt on her the other morning but she INSISTED upon putting the pants on too.

She has just recently begun trying to put on pants all by herself.  It is usually not very successful yet and she often gets frustrated before she gets even a leg in.  But it’s good practice and she’s so proud of herself.  I just have to be quicker, slyer and subtle about my assistance.

But isn't she just the cutest? 

Slime

Tuck and I made slime last weekend.  Nothing like a little cornstarch and water to entertain a toddler… and his Momma.

 

I made the mistake of leaving the cup of water within reach.  We had it just right for about 5 minutes and then he poured the rest of the water into the bowl and it turned into milky water.  He liked the splashing just as well but it made for a bigger mess for Mommy to clean up.  There is still some in the seams of the table.

Tucker Quotes

I have been saving a few of these and it is time to get them documented…

Oz-mose = almost

ahs-all-ohs = marshmallows.  this one took many tries and I finally had to make him take me to the cupboard.

bucks = one deer

buckses= multiple deers

“Am I boo-ful, Mommy? Will you marry when me when I get big?”

backet shoots = basketball

ehz-o-wit = elephant

kaw=see = coffee

 

And no he doesn’t still have a plug; he only torments Kora by stealing it.

A Day In The Life of Tucker

We are already having quite the morning so I thought I would just document the day with the random things that the little man is coming up with…

We were sitting down eating our mouse ear pancakes and he was begging to go outside.  I told him “we’ll see”.  He pondered really hard for about 30 seconds, nodded his head and squinted his eyes and told me “me seeing me play outside.”

And after breakfast he disappeared to his room.  He came back wearing this to go outside.

I let him go out thinking it would be so cold that he would realize that it was an inappropriate ensemble but alas, no.  He was content so I had to play bad Mommy and make him come back in.  Once Kora went down for a nap and he changed into pants, we went outside and played some “basket shoots”.  That’s basketball for those of you that don’t speak 3 year old.

Next the house suddenly smelled Mountain Fresh.  I sniffed my way around and tracked down Tucker hiding behind his door with the can of Lysol.  I think he was trying to mask the stench of his stinky pants.  We will be Mountain Fresh for a long time.

He just came out of his room packing his swim trunks claiming he was going outside to go swimming.  It is 38 degrees out there!!!! He is now wearing the trunks and jumping off the couch onto the cushions yelling “Cannonball!!!”

Oh my gosh, as I was typing this I looked over and this is what I saw:

He had completely stripped and is convinced that since the sun is up; it is swimming time. Can you tell these shorts are from last summer?!

Random quotes:

“Turn on the T.D. Mommy.”

“Me no like QBC”

“Ah, a jiggly pillow” in reference to laying his head on my tummy. Rolling of the eyes on my part…

 

I just love this silly boy.  Thank you, Tucker, for making me laugh every day.  You are my star.

Kora is One

 

Kora is…

… one year old.

… on the move; walking; nearly running.

… jealous of her brother.

… only 16 lb. 8 oz. and 27 inches tall.  She has to gain 4 more pounds before she can turn around in the car seat.  Oh, my favorite little shrimp.

…prone to ear infections but getting tubes on the 9th.

… starting to jabber; more than just repeating a single syllable. And she expects you to reply to her inquiries.

…still looking bald although she really does have hair.  It’s just pretty light and pretty thin.  I think we could get enough gathered to put in a barrette but it would just look silly.

…developing and expressing her personality.  She is going to be one funny kid.  (It is the Hole in her.)

…starting to sign. She uses “more” and “eat” mainly.

… a climber. She gets into the wooden shelf and onto Tuck’s little table then has to call for help.  She can get into and out of the toy baskets but it takes work and lots of grunting.

…finally sleeping through the night, just this week. I think the walking is wearing her out more.

… a favorite at Missy’s.  All the kids love her and they all call her “Kora Jane”.

… a bull dog. When she wants to get somewhere she makes a straight line no matter what is in her way.  She just crawls thru it or over it. There is no stopping this girl.

… a biter, right now.  She has 8 teeth and working on getting a molar in.

…the angel that blesses us each day.

We love you Kora and are so proud of you.

Mommy, Daddy and Tucker

Such Good Intentions

For Thanksgiving we go to TJ’s Mom’s every year.  She is such a great cook and hostess.  This year she asked me to bring some brownies or cupcakes for the kids for dessert.  I had such big plans.  I was going to make brownies with a special marshmallow gooey center.  Oh wouldn’t they just be delicious.

Well, this is what they ended up looking like.  I call them my “Open Sore Brownies”.  TJ called them “Acne Brownies”.

I put half of the brownie mix in the pan, added a layer of mini marshmallows and poured the rest of the brownie mix on top.  But as I poured in the last of the mix, the marshmallows all floated to the top.  And then as they cooked they bubbled up and when they cooled they all popped open.

I still laugh every time I think of them. 

They looked disgusting but were still very tasty.  I will have to remember them for my next Halloween bash.  They will be perfect.

Halloween 2010

This Halloween was a big success.  Missy had the annual Halloween party in her back yard.  Dinner was great and all of the festive deserts were a hit.

Connie came to spend the evening with the kids.  She loved seeing them all dressed up.

Tucker was “Baby Joe” aka Little Joe from Bonanza.  He watches this show every night and just loves Little Joe.  I found a pattern for the vest and chaps and surprised myself at my sewing prowess.  HA.

  

Tuck decided that Mommy should be Big Hoss.  Daddy thought that was pretty funny.  I did dress in my vest, boots and a borrowed cowboy hat.  Humbug Daddy wouldn’t even dress up; not even to play along and wear the Hi My Name Is Ben Cartwright name badge.  He’s such a party pooper.

Giddy-up horsey.

We swept the party with prizes.  Tuck received Most Original and Kora was Best Costume, mainly cuz she’s just so darn cute.

Kora was just starting to cruise pretty good.  We put her in this cute little giraffe costume.

Isn’t the tail just the cutest?

We made the grandparent rounds in Crawfordsville and Linden.  The kids made out like bandits.

Next year, we have decided that the grandparents will be invited to Missy’s and we will make the Main Street rounds.  It was so hard this year to pull Tuck away from all of his friends and to load and unload them all evening.  We may regret this decision next year after experiencing the crowds but we will try it once.  Maybe next year they will be Mickey and Minnie, or Chip and Dale or Green Eggs and Ham.  Who knows what Mommy will come up with……