Socks for Everyone!

The only way I could get her to wear socks on this cold day, was to put socks on the stuffies too...

p.s. this is what Gracie's hair looks like if I don't fix it in the morning

Gingerbread House

what a gingerbread house looks like when you let the 5 and 2 year old loose on it ;)

They sure ate a lot of icing, getting to this point!

Little turkeys...

Jonah told me he had an idea...

it's a Christmas ornament, but he sure thought it was a light bulb ;)

Heartbreaking Goodbye

Sweet Lucy, rest in peace.
August 2002 - December 8, 2010

Party at the McGrands (aka, Thanksgiving)

We've been in Texas since late August, but Thanksgiving was the first chance we've had to see our Rowdy Girls. Ridiculous! But it was worth the wait!

A few of my favorite pics from the visit...
If Gracie was leaning in like this, he would go berserk. But since it's one of the RG's, it's apparently O.K.

my sisters and I used to pile on this barber chair too :)

bustin' a move...

so much fun on the McGrand's stairs!

Pig Tails!

think maybe I pulled them too tight ;)

Well, hello, Jonah. It's nice to meet you.

This year I'm learning so much about Jonah. His mind is developing so quickly, quirks are emerging, personality traits growing stronger, plus we're seeing a blossoming love for science.

We've always known Jonah is an intense kid. He feels joy, sorrow, love, injustice, interest, anxiety, all emotions, deeply.

Since Dubbie and Gr'Grandpa passed away, Jonah's been asking a ton of questions about death, after-life, and aging. Point blank, what happens to our body after our soul leaves it?

His class at school studied the life-cycle of a pumpkin in October. This spawned talks about decomposition, which led to a slew of deep, cold-hard-reality type questions. The kid wants to know.

I am getting better at predicting his reactions to the answers now, and know that he still needs shelter from some answers; to be assured that these are not things a five year old needs to worry about. Because he does worry. Intensely.

In his school work I've noticed a gift for finding patterns, a love for sports and science, impatience for working on things that don't come easily, a tendency to be distracted (especially when he's tired or hungry), and an appreciation for loyal friends. He seems to value loyalty over all other traits.

And, it's not the best thing to inherit from his blood relatives, but the kid is NOT a morning person (just like most of his aunts and his Mama's parents). Truly a grump if over-stimulated in the morning - he needs a good hour to wake up and be civil. We even had to decline walking to school with his best friend to save the friendship!

We're still working on our social graces.

I so love the way Jonah's mind works. He often mis-labels things, but his descriptions are always based on logic and easy to understand. And there's no shame in it :)

"cup-folder"
because the cup-holder, folds under his seat

"cookie bar"
because a Cliff Bar tastes like a cookie

"camelflauge"
because the shapes on his camo shirt resemble camels

And, our rent car smells "renty"

Jonah gives hugs freely. He sings LOUD silly songs when he has to walk alone into a scary room. He cheers his sister on when she succeeds at something new. He wants to be a race car driver when he grows up. He's sincerely crushed by a bad day at school. He fears losing things and missing people. He loves flashlights, light bulbs, glow in the dark anything. He's ticklish on his shoulders, and has THE best belly-laugh ever.

And this fabulous kid calls me his "Mommidy MamaHamaRama".

Autumn Portraits

Trick or Treat

Superman and the Cyclops Ghost (aka Donovan)

Our first time to actually go door-to-door (we've always done festivals or trunk n' treats in the past).
There were lots of creative pumpkins along the way,

and a constant parade of kids in costumes!

Gracie totally rocked her first Trick or Treat. She tried saying "trick or treat" for a while, switched to "Happy Halloween", then ultimately settled on "hellllooooooooo" each time the door opened for her.

Her bucket of candy finally got so heavy, she plopped it in her stroller and pushed it from door to door.

Mullberry Street

We were in Abilene for a few short days this weekend, and made it a priority to visit our Nannie at Mullberry Street.

This house holds lots of memories for me. The smell of toasted bread with cheese melted on top, fudge in a box on top of the fridge, drinking cold water from a green glass jar.

Smelling Nannie's bright pink phlox along the driveway, watching Nannie and Dubbie steal a kiss in the front yard. Their creaky floor covered with carpet.

Playing Cooties on the big bed, Grandmo and Pickle (my great-grandmothers) sitting in their chairs crocheting, my feet dangling from the shoe-shine bench.

Too many memories to write down in one post, and all too precious to forget. I so want Gracie and Jonah to have memories in this house too.

A beautiful day...

...at the Fort Worth Zoo

The Not-So-Lucky Penny

Last week, Jonah confessed to Daddy and me that he swallowed a penny one night after we had tucked him in bed. He didn't think it was too big a deal until we did some research and talked to him about warning signs to watch for.

The penny swallowing happened on Monday night, we think.

Tuesday night, Jonah coughed all night long. A warning sign.

Wednesday morning, Jonah woke up with a crampy stomach. We called the doctor, who told us "do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight to the childrens' E.R. and have a chest x-ray done".

I called Jonah's school, let them know what was going on, and pulled him out of class so we could get the x-ray. Jonah was SO. WORRIED. It was written all over his face. He thought they were going to cut open his stomach and pull out the penny. No pain-killer. No sewing him back up. He would just be a kid with guts hanging out for the rest of his life. (He has a flare for the dramatic).

After explaining x-ray's and signing in at the E.R., the hospital staff worked their magic. They are amazing at making kids feel at ease. I mean, wow. What made me laugh, is how amazed they were Jonah actually fessed up about swallowing the penny.

X-ray showed the penny, clear as day, in Jonah's intestine. Which, they tell me, is a safe place for it to be as the penny's on it's way out.

I'm shocked this is our first visit to the E.R. with Jonah. He's been the "bull in a china closet" ever since he could walk! His guardian angels must be goooooood at what they do.

Welcome Home

After supporting the Rangers through good seasons and bad, being a true die-hard fan since childhood, my DH finally gets to watch his team go to the WORLD SERIES. He is beyond excited. And all this the year we moved back to Texas.

Best Homecoming gift EVER!!!

What We Cleaned Up Today...

p.s. How do you get diaper-rash cream out of hair?

the Prissiest Priss there ever was

Gracie wore this vintage smocked dress (Aunt Kak's) for almost 48 hours straight.
The girl would not take it off.

Why? Because it is dainty, and girly, and ticks everything off her checklist.

Gracie's Rules for Getting Dressed:

She will not touch any clothing that has brown on it.
She prefers pastels.
Flowery prints are acceptable but not ideal.
She must always have shoes on her feet and a bow in her hair is preferable.
Her shoes must be sparkly and/or metallic, pink, purple, candy apple red.

BFF

When we moved into this little rent-house at the end of August, some neighbors across the alley ventured into their driveway to say hello. We visited enough to learn they have a 5 year old of their own. One going to Jonah's school. One who turned 5 in July also.

Their 5 year old is Donavan.

Since Jonah and Donovan shook hands at "Meet the Teacher" night, and learned they were in the same class, they have been inseparable.

Before we moved here, I prayed earnestly that God would prepare a friend for Jonah. One who could encourage Jonah to be his best. I knew there would be a hole left by the absence of our playgroup - Jonah's first good friends.

So, here's a friendship made in heaven ;)

Chalk Paint

Aunt Kathleen (the awesome one, of course) came over a couple of days ago, and brought with her a recipe for chalk paint.

It was such a smashing success, I had to share!

Chalk Paint Recipe
mix equal parts cornstarch and water (1/4 cup each for a larger batch)
stir together until cornstarch absorbs
consistency should be runny
poor into an ice tray or plastic containers, add some food coloring to create several different colors, and paint onto driveway with a paintbrush!
When dry, it turns into chalk (and washes off just like chalk!)

Fair Day

Last Monday, we played hooky and took a Fair Day. It was needed. Trust me.

Michael and Jonah drooling over the Ford truck exhibit

After a mooning incident at school, a huge business presentation for Michael (which involved being in Chicago all week), a week of being a single mom and another audition for me, a fun day was verrrrrrrry needed.

Jonah's smile got bigger as the day went on.

It was not too crowded, so we unleashed Gracie.

This picture pretty much sums up the day

Thank you, Texas State Fair, for the sanity-check!

Sunset Tour

The kids would like to take you on a tour of our new neighborhood.
It's a lovely evening for a stroll, no?

This is Jonah's school. Right across the street from us.

He thinks he owns it.

Gracie is anxious to show you the park.

It's this way...
(I can't wait for these trees to change color. Squeee!)

By the way. What are these?

They grow on trees. They look like tennis balls. Anyone?

Whatever. They are excellent for throwing in the creek.

To the park!!!

It's a lot like any other park.

Except for these. What. Are. They?!

Whatever. Back to the creek!!!

After many more runs from the creek to the park and back. We are exhausted. This tour is over.

Time to go home...

(Not a speck of zero-scaping in this town. No-sir-eee.)