Christmas in pictures (lots of pictures...)

We had a wonderful Christmas 2009.  The girls are at that perfect age for the magic and excitedment of the holiday season and it was impossible to be around them and not get caught up in thier joy!  Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year, but this year was extra special because of my little princesses.  Here are some pictures from my mom's annual Christmas Day - this year we coined the term Merry Mimi Christmas - and from our house on Christmas morning.

The girls - Savannah, Mia, Zora, Tara and Caitlin

The little girls - Caitlin and Tara

The big girls - Mia, Savannah and Zora

My girls - Tara and Savannah

My sister's kiddos - Mia and Tripp

The boys - Tristan, Gabriel, Christian, Chance, Chaz and Tripp

The whole crew - Tristan, Gabriel, Chance, Christian, Chaz, Tripp, Caitlin, Mia, Savannah, Zora and Tara

Me and my girls!

Bliss!

Yep - it really is that chaotic - and really that fun!

Ready for Santa!

Look out - she has wheels!

Look - Santa was hungry!

Showing off thier dolls!

Prince Charming got something too!  No more instant coffee at 'Dega!

Showing off thier gifts for Mama!

My little artist!

You can't make this stuff up...

Actual conversations on Christmas Eve:

Prince Charming - I think we should turn off the lights outside and turn them back on in the morning.

Me:  Okay.

Minutes later as we are getting into bed...

Prince Charming - I thought you were going to turn off the outside lights?!?

Me - I just said okay!  I didn't know that "we" mean't "me"!!!

('Course, I am about as bad I guess - I thought "we" meant "he"...
_______________________

At my in-laws for our annual Christmas Eve supper and gift exchange.  We gave Dan's brother a CD of Eric Clapton's greatest hits.  Our 18-year-old nephew grabs the CD to check it out.

Nephew - Whatcha got?  Who's this?  Who's Eric CLAMPTON?!?

Cue the explosive laughter from the older adults in the room.  Next up - the confused and slightly embarrassed look on Nephew's face...
_________________________

And one from this morning...

Tara - looking at the new bicycle from Santa (which has a ride-along seat for her baby) - Mama, I don't fit the seat!!! 

Me - Baby, that is the seat for your baby.

Tara - wailing - But I wanted a bicycle for ME!!!! 
__________________________

You can't make this stuff up, people!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Holiday Rock!

I dare you to watch and not smile!  Yeah, you, ya grinch!!! ;-)

More Reading = Less Blogging

I have so many topics to catch up on - Savannah's birthday, the children's Christmas Program at our church, Tara's surgery (tonsils and adenoids removed and new tubes put in), a bento lunch update and of course, Christmas is right around the corner. 

But, I am eyeball deep in the Sookie Stackhouse novels and for better or worse, I just don't have the attention span for blogging.  I am on book 7 of 10, so it won't be long!  Of course, then I am getting a Kindle for Christmas - that could be dangerous!

In the meantime - here are some pics:

Sliding down the jumpy slide at Savannah's birthday party!

Spoiler alert:  Can you say Christmas Card?

An actual picture with Santa!! I never thought I would see the day!

Family Ties

What is is about going "home" that makes you feel 10 years old all over again?  I went home to see my family in Arkansas this past weekend and overall it was a great visit.  But, there is that little stuff that always comes up that always takes you back.  And not in a good way.

Honestly, can't we all just get along?!?!

So, anyway, there was that.  On to other news - Kris the Christmas Elf has been hanging around our house - the girls love having him around and seeing what new place he will be in when they wake in the morning. I love having him around because a reminder that "Kris is watching..." is surprisingly effective.  I am hoping that he will be a annual tradition at our house.

Savannah is now down 2 teeth - the second one came out tonight (with a little help from Dr. Mom...).  Looks like the tooth fairy will be paying us a visit again soon.  And, along with Kris, a suggestion that perhaps a call to the tooth fairy is in order is pretty darn effective.  Oh, yeah, I went there proudly!  There is nothing I won't stoop to as a mom. 

Savannah looked doubtful for a moment and then said skeptically, "You don't really have her phone number, do you???"

I assured her that indeed I did, that it is in the special mommy book they give you when you become a mom.

What?  You didn't get your copy? 

Mission accomplished!

I feel a little like Dora!!!  I did it - I set my goal and I did it!!  30 posts in 30 days!  Yay me!!!

So, what did I really accomplish here? 

1.  As a new blogger, I really did not have the habit of sitting down and blogging every day - now, I will admit, it has kind of worked its way into my routine after I get the girls down to bed at night.

2.  It helped me learn more about what kind of blogger I am.  I don't think I will ever have one of those blogs that becomes a "go to" gotta read like Snarky Mommy or Love that Max are for me, but it is a good place to record my musings and share them with the Cyberworld, for whatever that is worth. (Hey, I know I have at least a handful of regular readers.  My people - I love you!!!

3.  It taught me what I am not - one of those hang it all out there and everyone's opinions be damned.  I have lots of off-limit topics that I don't discuss here.  I don't curse on here for the most part, because while I don't seem to have any issue with popping off with a word or phrase of the four-letter persuasion when in a close gorup of friends, I tend to automatically not write the same words that I sometimes say.  Who knew???

4.  I met a goal!  Nuff said - big or small - an achieved goal is always a rush for me! 

Where do I go from here?  I am not sure.  I really don't know if I will continue with the Post Every Day Or Else approach I have followed for the past month.  Maybe I will, maybe I won't. But I do think that I will be a more regular post than I was.  And at least for me, that is enough. 

52:52 Challenge, continued...

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote this post.  Since then, I had read three more books, bringing my total for the year so far up to 55.  They are:

52:53 - Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts

52:54 - Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris

52:55 - Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris

I am halfway through Club Dead - Book 3 of the Sookie Stackhouse novels - they are great.  Quick reads, funny and engaging. Since I only started Book 1 Monday, that should tell you something!

What the girls ate for lunch #12 and 13 w/e 11/13 and 11/20

This is 2 weeks worth of lunches - well, really 1 week and 1 lonely day during Thanksgiving week.  Anyway, here we go:

Monday - Savannah had a slice of banana bread, cut in half, some "cutie" wedges, a slice of ham and vanilla yogurt.  Tara had a slice of ham, wheat thins, "cutie" wedges and banana slices and vanilla yogurt.

Tuesday - Tara asked to "buy" today instead of Wednesday, so it is only Savannah - hot dog and mozzerella chunks, "cutie" wedges, orange bell pepper chunks, wheat things and a chocolate covered ritz cracker.

Wednesday - Tara only - yogurt, pretzel goldfish, blueberries and grape tomatos sliced in half.

Thursday - Tara had pasta and broccoli with cheese sauce, baby carrots and blueberries.  Savannah had a strong cheese, mini pretzels, an organic fruit strip, baby carrots and ranch dressing and "cutie" wedges.

Monday - wheat thins, mini pepperonis, mozzerella cheese chunks, red bell pepper slices and strawberries (with some blueberries for Tara).

Enjoy!  I hope everyone had as great a Thanksgiving as we did!  Now on to Christmas!!!

Around the world in 80 days...

Well, around Memphis is 12 hours, anyway.

I am zonked so you don't get much tonight - I'm sorry!

We were up at 4 a.m. to go to Walmart.

Then, after dropping the girls off at Kid Station, me and my mom headed to Kohls, then Toys 'R Us,  and Target.  Took a break for lunch and a mimosa at Olive Garden, then off to the mall for round 2.

We hit Sears, Dilliards, JC Penney's and Macy's. 

I am worn out - my feet are killing me and I can't hardly string 2 coherent thoughts together.

My favorite way to spend the day after Thanksgiving!!!!

Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  This will be a quick post because I have to get in bed early so that I can get us at the crack of dawn for Black Friday shopping.  Anyway, here are some pictures of the day:

Charles shaking the cream to make butter - was supposed to be an activity for the girls...the novelty wore off in about 5 minutes.

Is it ready YET?????

FINALLY!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Savannah wanted to eat the turkey "bone".

Tara said  "I love turkey day!"

The wishbone - About 10 seconds after I took this picture, Savannah was in tears becuase she didn't get the big piece!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

So, today I was off and my mom is here, so we used the day to menu plan, grocery shop and prep for tomorrow.

We made caramel sauce from scratch for the caramel-whipped sweet potatoes. Well, actually, we made it twice because we, ahem... over browned it the first time - we were going for "amber" colored and ended up with nearly black. So, yeah, that batch went in the trash. The second batch turned out beautifully and yummy!

We baked the sweet potatoes, mixed the dough for the potato rolls and put it in the fridge to do its first rise, made the corn bread for the dressing, chopped up the onion and celery for the dressing, and made my mom's fabulous coca-cola chocolate cake!

So, tomorrow morning, I will be up bright and early to prep the turkey - 16 pounds of it!!! Once I get it in the oven, we will finish the rolls, make the dressing (Paula Deen's recipe!), make the whipped sweet potatos, make mashed potatos, prepare the "giblet" crazy, make the grean beans almondine and do the marinated asparagus - oh, and the 5-cup fruit salad. Whew! Hungry yet???

Enjoyed having the girls here all day - they played pretty good all day and did not want to go to sleep tonight - having too much fun!!! They are excited about Thanksgiving and when my mom asked Tara what she was thankful for, Tara said she was thankful for Christmas! Savannah is thankful for her birthday, which is next weekend on the 6th.

I will leave you with a little ode to Thanksgiving courtesy of Adam Sandler:

Once a Princess...

Following is the St. Jude spot on The Today Show this morning.  This one really touched me - she is 3 and so is Tara.  And they both have that princess thing going that I talked about here.  So, it is one of those stories that expecially affects me.

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I got to take Tara to ballet tonight - she loves being a ballerina. I hope that someday, this little girl's mother gets to do the same thing.

Tonight I give thanks for Tara and her larger than life personality and the joy with which she just "is."

I love you, Tara!!!

Brick Wall

Yep - been staring at the sceen a good 10 minutes. Just not that motivated tonight for some reason.  I have no clue.  I am letting you down, my loyal public.  I have failed you. 

So, for a few minutes at least, I will grace you with some general ramblings for the sole and specific purpose of having a blog post today.  Cop out.  For sure.  Ask me if I care...

My mom and step-dad are coming to town tomorrow for Grandparents Day at St. Marys.  Savannah's Senior K class has a program and Savannah is so excited.  After that, they are coming to campus for lunch with me.  I am hoping that there will be time for them to take a tour of the hospital while they are here.  I really want them to see it. 

Speaking of the hospital.  Today was the kickoff of Thanks & Giving on The Today Show.  You can see the spot here:

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I dare you to watch it and not cry. (If you are reading this on FaceBook, you will have to hop on over to my actual blog to see the spot.)  Boy, it really makes you think - I cannot imagine watching one of my girls go through something like that.  Everytime I see a patient, it always goes through my mind that he or she is someone's son or daughter.  And they were just going about thier life when BAM - they walk into a nightmare. 

Hmmmm....I really did not intend this to turn into a public service announcement.  But, I am grateful with all my being that there is a place like St. Jude for families dealing with that nightmare.  This is the time of year to be grateful and to give thanks for all the blessings in your life.  I know I am. 

What do you know?  I had something to say after all...

Rant...I am so over Jacob/Taylor L...

If I hear one more person ooh and ahh over his chest, I am going to gag!  Seriously, people - you need to get out more.  He is a good lookin' kid, no doubt - but have you never seen Brad Pitt? http://static.open.salon.com/files/brad-pitt1256828090.jpg

And this one...  http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~jfs48/images/BradPitt2.jpg.

Eric Dane? http://highcaliber.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ericdane-7141591.jpg

Men, people!!!  Now that's what I'm talkin' about!!!

Plus, Taylor Lautner's biggest role prior to Twilight was as Shark Boy in Sharkboy and Lava Girl.  http://madisonharris.com/images/sharkboy_lavagirl.jpg  And, y'all - that picture is from about 2005.

Honestly, I can't tell if all the hype is over Jacob or Taylor.  If it is Jacob - Jacob's role is Bella's life is only ever secondary.  He knew that - much as he didn't like it.  She never led him on to think otherwise.  Plus, y'all - it is a book/movie - it is not like they were ever able to actually make different decisions.  And for those who call Bella a "player" or a "tramp" for leaning on Jacob while Edward was gone - get real?  Have you never relied on a friend to get you though a bad time - she was never anything but honest with him.

As for Taylor - he is a good lookin' kid.  But so are lots of people - I have seen better - and you know you have too - well, maybe not you, you little giggle-girl sitting behind me in the theatre, but anyone over the age of 21 has.  When all is said and done, while I can admire the physique - he is just not my type. 

I think I just read the Twilight series from an entirely different place than a lot of people.  To me, it was only ever Edward - Bella said as much herself.  I never considered for a second that she would ever be with anyone but Edward - so I guess to my mind, Jacob was only ever secondary.  Bella needed him - I don't think she would have survived Edward's absence without him, but she loves him as a friend - end of story. 

So, no - I will NEVER swing over to "Team Jacob" EVER!!!! 

I like my guys to sparkle.  So, go on...bite me, Edward!

Savannah Saturday

Yesterday was the Thansksging class party in Savannah's senior kindergarten class.  They called it a Thanksgiving feast and let me assure you they were right!/  When I got there, they were taking turns at the different "cooking" stations:  cornbread, fruit salad and pumpkin pies.  There was also mashed potatos, cranberries and, of course, turkey and dressing.  They were all so cute with the seriousness with which they approached thier assigned tasks. 

Then, when everything was ready, we sent them outside to play for a few minutes while we set up the "dining room" by making one long "dining table" out of ther class tables.  We set the table, fixed thier plates and then called them back inside.  How cute was it when they all came back in wearing thier Pilgram bonnets! 

They sat down to thier meal, said thier blessing and then dug in!  Yum!  They had the best time and I have to say, so did I!  And, thankfully, there were plenty of leftovers to feed the parents!!!

Me and my princess...

Making her own pumpkin pie.

Move over, Rachael Ray!

Making cornbread takes concentration...

Channeling her inner Pilgram.

Watching the "blessing" was the best part!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Things I learned as a Mama #4

It is possible to have a full pantry, a full refrigerator and a full freezer and STILL have nothing to eat.

Cinderella on trial

Interesting article in the New York Times from Decemeber 2006 - What's Wrong with Cinderella by Peggy Orstein.

I don't know why this article bugs me, but it does.  We love all things Princess around our house - heck, to me that is one of the great things about having girls - I get to indulge my inner "princess."  Isn't that the point?

Maybe it makes me feel defensive or criticized - like we are raising the girls in some way that is going to be harmful to their self-worth as they grow up. 

But, I think we are raising our girls with great values.  Yeah, it is fun to be a Princess - but in our house, Princesses are strong and brave and figure out who to solve thier own problems.  The point is that I don't think "girly" and "princess" have to equal weak or helpless.   Savannah and Tara both love the whole "princess" thing, including Tinkerbelle - who is really a fairy, but whatever.  They love the Barbie movies and all of those princess stories include a female lead that is good and kind.  She may not always start out strong and brave, but she finds that in herself by the end of the movie.

They love tutus and ribbons and glitter and magic wands.  And I love that about them. 

They believe in fairy tales.   I wouldn't trade that for anything.

You oughta know...

1.  I detest Sarah Palin.

2. I struggle to balance being green with the convenience of disposible items.

3.  I don't spank my kids, but I will admit to the occasional swat on the bottom - which I always regret...

4.  I don't see anything wrong with having an adult beverage in the presence of my kids. In moderation, of course.

5.  I voted for Obama.

6.  I don't regret my vote.

7.  I think whiteknot.org is a great organization.

8.  I used to have really lousy self esteem.

9.  I think it is disgusting the way they "airbrush" photos these days - no wonder girls have an unattainable idea of beauty these days.

10.  Even though I am a lawyer, I detest conflict.  It makes me uncomfortable and I will go out of my way to avoid it.

Not sure what brought this on, but most of it comes from articles I have read recently - things I am mulling around in the back of my mind.  Some of them may become future blog topics, so this is a way for me to get them out there.  This is my blog and these are my opinions.  Feel free to share your own thoughts, but I didn't put this out there for debate, so if your comment is about how wrong I am about anything, please don't bother posting it here.  If you don't agree with something, that's fine, but go write about it in your own blog - I'd love to read it.

Tara Tuesday

Tara's turn:

What do you want to say, Tara?

I LOVE PHINEAS AND FERB.  I LIKE IF I HAD A BABY HER NAME WOULD BE SAVANNAH GRACE.

Awww...you would name her after your sister?

WHAT DID YOU NAME ME WHEN I WAS A BABY?

You  know your name.  I named you Tara Faith.  What else do you want to say?

IF I HAD A BABY I WOULD NAME HER SALLY WITH A BOTTLE. 

Anything else?

YEAH, I MEAN YES, MOMMY.  UMMM...I WANNA SAY IF I HAD ONE LITTLE DOGGY I WOULD NAME HER TWO DAISYS.

Is that enough for today?

YES, I WILL DO ONE MORE THING.  UMMM...TWO MORE THINGS ACTUALLY.  IF I HAVE A PIG AND I WAS GOTTA LITTLE CAR AND UMMM...AND I WAS THINKING IF I STOP DOING THAT I WOULD GET ANOTHER PET AND IT WOULD BE A PET DOGGY AND IF I DIDN'T HAVE A PET, I WOULD BUY ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT THING THAT TIES AROUND.

Ummm...okay...

AND I WANT TO SAY, AND THATS MY ONE THING.  BYE, BYE, EVERYONE AND I WISH THAT I HAD A CARE BEAR AND IT WAS BROWN AND WHITE.

Yeah, that's Tara for you!  Gotta love her!

What the girls ate for lunch #12 - w/e 11/13/09

Monday - mini pepperonis, pretzel goldfish, sliced strawberries and orange bell pepper strips.

Tuesday - french toast strips and syrup, sliced strawberries, for Savannah sliced cucumbers, for Tara sliced orange bell pepper strips and for both, a mini rice crispie treat.  (Thanks for Tara for help with the staging. :-) )

Thursday - For Savannah - a cereal bar, an organic fruit strip, grape tomatoes, wheat things and apple slices.  For Tara, cajun rice with black beans and corn, sliced grape tomatoes, ritz crackers and apple slices.

Friday - ham slices, sliced strawberries, sliced cucumbers and baby potatoes with parmasean cheese.

Things I learned as a Mama #4

With some starch and a steam iron, you can make an old five dollar bill look crisp and new...

New stop on the Tooth Fairy route...

Yep - that's my princess showing off her pearly white and that gap-toothed grin!  She was so excited, she was like a wiggley puppy!!!  That tooth has been loose for a long time and this past week, it was REALLY loose.  By the weekend, it was literally dangling in her mouth.  Tonight I got her to let me see if I could pop it out and it came out just like that - I didn't even have to tug. That silver hippo was a baby gift from Savannah's Granny Ethel - my grandmother.  When she first realized that she had a loose tooth, she insisted on getting down from the top shelf of her bookcase where it has been since even before she was born.  Hippo has been waiting by her nightstand for this night for weeks!!!

So, the tooth fairy will have a stop at our house tonight.  I hear the going rate for a tooth these days is $5.00???