why do I try?

My goal:
To obtain photo of children together and both smiling. doesn't sound very difficult does it?!

My results (after several days of trying):

and the winner is....You mean this is the best you can do?! (yeah, I said that too)Molly got the memo, Sam did not

Have I mentioned Sam has learned to cross his eyes? This was the day he started

I guess Molly thought, "well, if Sam is going to be goofy in these pictures I may as well leave"Per mommy's request... "Sam why don't you hold Molly and smile" Molly not on board with this oneSam attempting to do what is asked of him, Molly, well she wants NO part in itDay 3... they always say that 3rd time is the charm right?! --- what do you say?!Molly had the audacity to "steal" the all important diaper wipe from Sam. (thus causing a complete melt down)After this, I put the camera away and thought "this is why I pay the professionals, guess I better make an appointment"

Birthday part 2

I think this was the first birthday that Sam really "caught on" what it was all about. He was looking forward to it for days. We had the count down going and that seemed to help. He woke up VERY early on Sat. When I got him up, the first thing he asked was "is today my birthday?" After I answered, he started singing the Happy Birthday song to himself. He ran downstairs and saw his cake on the table. He was excited to see it, but wanted to know where mickey was!! (you see, all my son talks about is trains. He LOVES trains, eats, breathes, and sleeps trains. He will stare at the train page in the toy catalog forever. I wanted to do something different for his birthday theme since I did trains last year, but nothing else seemed to fit. Now, fast forward to about 2 days before his birthday. Sam has discovered a new Mickey mouse puzzle that he likes. I ask him what kind of cake he wants for his birthday --- knowing full well that he was to say "trains" but, oh no, he simply states "mickey mouse" insert gasp here. um, Mickey mouse?! What about a train, I asked. Sam thought that that would be good, as long as mickey was on it.) ok, you let me explain the fork that you see there. Yes, it is propping up the engine. I am sort of embarrassed to admit this, but as you know, I took a cake decorating class. Unfortunately, by looking at my cake you would not really know this. You see, I did what I always do, something Susan (the instructor) always said not to do. I waited until the last minute to make the cake and thus ran out of time and patience. It started off fine, I cut up the pieces to make the engine, all went well, or so I thought. True to Susan's words, chocolate cakes have more crumbs... UGH, CRUMBS!!! I had a hard time icing this bugger. Once it was finally iced, I sat it on the board. As I was creating the other cars, I noticed the engine, it was falling, it was coming apart at the seams (literally). I holler (yes, we do that here in the south) for Kirk to help me figure out what to do. It is now around 12am and I have a ton of other stuff to do, and do not need to worry about a fallen engine. This was the solution... fork (believe it or not, it worked... did not look that professional, but it fixed my problem)--- until the next problem arose, the fork pushed the top of the engine up and started creating a whole other problem. But, add a little man, problem solved.So, now you are thinking, oh, great, all problems solved, life is good and we can all celebrate. Insert issue number (well, probably 50 by now) It is morning. cake is done on the table. Sam is so excited about it that he calls Molly over to show her the cool train cake (though still Mickey-less) Mommy made for him. Molly looks then goes away, but only for a moment. She returns and decides that she NEEDS the "smoke stack" and steals the mini oreos off. Well, I have to admit, I was not really thinking very clearly when I decided to place the cake at Molly level. So, this is an easy problem to solve... just move the cake right?! right! Oh, but before you move a cake, make sure you remember that there is a bend on the cardboard board that you used as the base and that one of the train cars is actually sitting on the bend. If you do not remember this it could possibly falland go splat on the floor.
great, now I have a huge mess to clean up, on top of the fact that the cake is on the floor and unfix-able. Or so I thought... just try to put it back together as best you can, then use a super cool feature on your computer called 'photo editing'and crop off the pathetic spot

you know what, now I know why cakes cost as much as they do when you purchase them!!!

Happy train cake Sam, maybe next time I will listen and do a simple Mickey Mouse cake!

Thanksgiving--- way belated

Because I want to keep a journal of what has happened during our life, I shall post this even if it is 2 months behind... beware, long post with picture overload.
Thanksgiving this year was really pretty special, Rod, Kelly and the kids (Ethan and Savannah) came to visit. It has been 2 years since we had last seen them, they had not even met Miss Molly yet. Poor family, they were in the middle of a whirlwind life change and looked as cool as cucumbers taking everything in stride. (I think I would have been a bit more stressed out if it were me) Rod got a new job and transferred to the Houston area. Rod and Kelly were on a house hunt 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, while they were there, they sold their house in Atlanta (which is WONDERFUL news), but needed to be out just before Thanksgiving leaving them just 1 week to pack up and move out. So, they moved and landed in Houston (from Atlanta) on Sunday, enrolled the kids into school on Mon and then headed here late Tues evening. Whew!! All that to say, we are glad you didn't change your plans and still spent Turkey week with us :)

We had a great time. We celebrated all of the holidays in about half a week. Do you know what that means? Lots of traditions and yummy food all at once! It was an action packed time, but we managed to cram it all in I think!

On Wed we all had our pictures made. The last time we did this was when Ethan (now 12 1/2) was 3 1/2 and Savannah (now 10 1/2)was 1 1/2. (just happens to be the current ages of Sam and Molly) Being the day before Thanksgiving, it was pretty crowded and we felt just a little rushed, the pictures were not the best, no real pose changes (but what can you expect with 10 people 2 being under the age of 4) The women (and Savannah) picked out all the pictures, went to lunch and then headed to the store of all stores for all little girls around 10 years of age... American Girl Store Wow, what a fun place, they think of everything don't they?
Then we had a little fun throughout the mall... (thanks Kirk for taking the kids back for naps so that I can act all goofy in the mall :) )My dad was able to create some really cool games for all of us (the prizes were AWESOME as well!) Um, mom and dad decided to really get into their roles, they were "Money Ma and Penny Pa" It was hysterical to see their getup as we came up the stairs!! Ma's get up was great with all of her jewels and lovely sparkling false eye lashes. Pa's necklace and matching earrings are made of pennies, and the hair, hmmm, what else can I say about that hair?The game was called "pay to play" The kids worked together (sorry Ethan for having to team up with Sam and Savannah for teaming up with a sleeping Molly) meaning the older kids basically had to do all the work, allowing my kids to reap the benefits. Sam really idolized his older cousins and so wanted to be able to keep up with them and do what all they could do. Look how it looks like he is really trying to figure out the puzzle hereIn the end they all won $$$ (amazing how it ended up being and equal amount for each of them)-- those who know Sam know how much he loves money. just look at that face as he holds up his cashThursday we had Thanksgiving lunch, and then Kirk,myself and the kids headed to Kirk's aunts house to see part of his family. It just so happens that one of Kirk's mom's sisters family lives about an hour away, and she was the one hosting their Thanksgiving this year. (did ya get all that?) So it was nice to be able to see his parents, grandmother and aunts/uncles as well. That night we headed back to my folks house for the game my dad created for the big people (we were sorely disappointed that Penny pa and Money Ma did not show up)

Friday it was "Christmas" at my parents house. It started with the traditional Chinese dinner and then....
Mass chaos ensued...It was time to open the gifts. Molly was so funny, she went BONKERS, she had no idea what was really happening, but knew that it was something exciting. She ran and screamed and jumped and giggled and laughed for quite a while. It was hard to get her to calm down to see what all was going on. She did not know what to do with all of the presents, and got a little frustrated and overwhelmed. I loved this picture on the box, it was at this point that she had gone way past exhaustion and did not know what it was she wanted. She struggled to get the box unwrapped and wanted on top, when she finally got there she was upset. Poor thing.Sam has long since learned that square boxes tend to not have toys, but hold clothes instead so he tries to avoid those. This go around he was pretty good about it though and even looked as though he liked some of them. The best line of the night came from Sam ... He had just opened a box and saw that it held a package of spiderman undies. All of the sudden we hear a sweet and excited little voice holler "Wow, it is just what I needed" too cute!

What a fun filled time, I think the cousins enjoyed getting to hang out together

One potato, 2potato, 3 potato 4...

Where oh where has the time gone? 4... FOUR... 4... CUATRO... 4... My baby is 4 YEARS OLD!!! it seems like just yesterday we were here: in the hospital, all fresh and new weighing in at 8 pounds 11.5 ounces
then that little boy turned ONE and we got to watch him grow in wondernext he actually turned TWO and we were able to survive enjoy those "terrible two's"then that special year, 3--- oh, the "trying" 3's came and wentAnd now that little boy had the audacity to turn 4! I have not read ahead yet to see what 4 is like, but the past couple of days sure have been fun! Wouldn't it be nice to call this the "fun fours?!"Sam, I sure have enjoyed each stage we have gone through so far. You are the greatest gift that God could have allowed me to have. I am so honored to be called your Mommy. You are such a sweet little boy and have such a tender heart. I hope that you will be able to maintain that gentleness as you grow into a man. You make me laugh everyday. I love your funny little personality, and your budding sense of humor. You melt my heart every time you run up to me just to give me a spontaneous hug and kiss, tell me that you love me and that I am your "great friend" I know that that means that I am quite special to you. You are my joy, I love you and I am looking forward to your next zany adventure, and your next crazy facial expression:I also look forward to all the many ways that you find to "help" me around the house.-- now that you have your chainsaw, I foresee many many things that need to be "trimmed"Happy, happy birthday my sweet baby big boy!!!!

here today, gone tomorrow.

One thing I love about the south is the fact there really is not winter here. (well, until this year that is) Don't get me wrong, snow sure is beautiful (right after the fall) but then it gets ugly and grey (sometimes there is yellow too:) ) and sludgy. It seems to go on forever and the thought of spring just seems like a dream. I guess you could say that Michigan really turned me against winter. I never really thought about the fact that I might actually miss snow, well, I can't say that I "miss" it per say, but I do feel bad that my kids do not have the chance to go sledding and build snowmen and make snow angels. That is why I had go out and and do this
Then, true to southern style, we did not have to see the grey, dingy, sludgy yuck... the next morning this is what frosty looked like. (he lost his head first, much to the dismay of Sam--- it just rolled right off ha)

belated happenings

Nap time is always an event around here. Sam doesn't seem to nap as often, though we always have "rest" time. This is the time of day when we ALL get to breathe and rejuvenate. Usually I hear Sam singing, or talking or just moaning. It is usually fine so long as he is there and we all have our downtime. For some odd reason he has been preferring to lay on the floor on top of his "road rug" whatever... I don't care. This is where I found him a few days ago when I went up to get him. Guess he just gave up trying to figure out his escape route. (he is at the doorway, against the gate) We put a gate in the doorway to prevent our precious son from disturbing his little sister who happens to be in the room next to him. When he first came out of his crib into the car bed we used this to prevent him from falling down the stairs in the middle of the night. He has long since mastered the stairs and the thought of him falling down them even in a half-sleep state doesn't scare me as much, but we all know that he hates it when Molly is asleep and he isn't, therefore, the gate remained. So for now he just has to continue banging on the floor and the wall to wake her up.

Molly, my little Molly. How do kids know when you schedule a picture session? Do they injure themselves several days before intentionally? It was a beautiful day just prior to Thanksgiving and so the kids and I had a picnic at the park for lunch. Sam and Molly were chasing each other when BOOM, there was a trip and a fall and a scream which then led to a bloody lip (and sidewalk) Poor girl! and only 5 days before Christmas pictures too! Thankfully her teeth were fine and the swelling did go down later that night.
Then a few days later she stole found my mascara and ran off with it. A few moments later I found this.. her hair and head a nice tarry mess. She knew where is was suppose to go to, she usually puts the unopened bottle of mascara to her eye.
This has been the scene at our house for months. Sam is sooo ready for Christmas. He will just sit and stare and stare and stare at the toy catalogs. It doesn't matter which one so long as it has a geotrax and/or Thomas the train picture in it. He just obsesses over these pictures. We seriously have about 12 (no exaggeration) different catalogs and they are all set to the train page. and NO ONE is allowed to mess with his catalogs... No ONE.

us census warning info

I got an email about giving info to census Workers and I thought it was a good idea to share. Most of it is really common sense, but always a good reminder:

2010 Census to Begin

WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau BBB Cautions about Census Scams - BBB News Center (this web site is written to Florida residents, but Google shows many other sites with similar info) that applies to all of us)

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau
(BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.

DO NOT give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. . Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS..

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range,
YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.

The Census Bureau WILL NOT ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. . NO ACORN worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the
Census Bureau WILL NOT contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

unemployment map

Take a look at this map. It shows how the unemployment rate has changed over the past several months. When you get to the map, click the arrow in the middle and watch how things changed. Incredible what "The Great Recession" has done. The old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words" is never more true than looking at this map.

Viewing it only takes a few seconds..

The darker the color, the higher the unemployment. 2009 has been BRUTAL.

This is a startling map. Hard to believe!

Click here: multimediafinal

snow, snow, with a chance of SNOW!!!!

WOW!!! what an absolutely unbelievable event. Pete (the weather man) kept telling us it was going to happen, but I do not think ANYONE believed it would happen so much! Early Thurs morning it started to snow. Kirk saw it around 4am, I saw it around 6. The window blinds remained closed that morning. I couldn't bear the thought of having Sam see it and not be allowed to play in it. You see, we have been bitten. Bitten by a very ugly bug. It bit all of us, leaving us all sick this week. Molly has bulging fluid behind her ear now as well. Because we have all been sick and both kids still coughing/sneezing/gagging etc I thought it would be best not to be out in the cold wet snow. But, it just kept coming. 1 inch, 2 inches, 4 then 5... and still snowing!!! Amazing, beautiful huge snow flakes. I gave in, I could not let a chance of a lifetime come and NOT allow my almost 4 yr old to play in this record setting snow day. I thought it would be fun if he noticed it. I opened the blinds and about 15 minutes later we all heard the squeal (and I do mean squeal) of delight. Sam saw it, and instantly tore his PJ's off to put on outside clothes (I did mention that we were all sick right?! um, that means PJ day!!) SO out we go-- there was snow swingingand tasting. there was fun had by all (except for Molly, she was sad... she did not get to go out and play and was a little upset that her big brother did get to)

Because of the record snow fall, there was still at least 7-8 inches left out there this morning, so we got to go out again. Sam "needed" to build a snowman, and when a boy "needs" a snowman, a snowman he must have. (we later found out why he wanted one... he was so adamant that we had a hat on it too, you know, so it could TALK!!!!) cute huh? He started off pretty good, I really thought he was going to be a good little helperbut then I realized he was just staying with me so he could get snowballs to eat. He did a lot of "lounging around" while I was hard at work creating his new friend. Kirk apparently had quite a few laughs at my expense watching me struggle. I think it was all worth it though, Look at frosty and the grin on his little pal Samoh yeah, and I had fun too!!

conspiracy

I think there is some sort of arrangement between ALL of the companies that make pants for boys. They do something to make the left knee area weaker than any other area so that it wears out, creates a hole and requires a mother to purchase new pants frequently. Case in point... 3 different brands/kinds of pants, 3 holes, all left knee. poor boy, he currently only has 1 pair of play pants at the moment. Do I dare allow him to wear his church/dress pants around the house?!