little miss sunshine

So as most of you know, I call Callie little miss sunshine. Have pretty much from the day she was born. She is the most easy going, happy baby. She smiles and laughs at pretty much everyone and everything. Lately she has started waving and blowing kisses at everyone....even people at the grocery store! I found this shirt today and and am definitely getting it for her. The character on the shirt is actually from a book series. Here is the synopsis of the "little miss sunshine" book...

There was a King who lived in a castle in Miseryland. Little Miss Sunshine is on holiday. She saw a sign saying "This way to Miseryland." So she was on her way to Miseryland. She saw a Guard at the Bridge Door. Little Miss Sunshine gave the Guard a Big Smile. Then the Guard took her to see the King of Miseryland and she had an idea. So Little Miss Sunshine and the king went back to her car. Finally she made a new picket sign saying "Laughter Land" and she boomed an enormous laugh then the king laughed too.

Pretty much describes my little miss sunshine. Always able to get a smile and laugh out of everyone. I think the book and the shirt will be under the xmas tree this year!

comeback 4 yr old style

Bryan, Bryce, and I were having a pretty serious conversation at dinner about being nice to friends and listening. He has been getting in trouble at school for teasing other kids and not listening to the teacher. Bryan laid down the law with 'if you disobey and do not do as your are told you will get a spanking'. Bryce continued to himmmm and haw and pretty much ignore him. Finally in frustration Bryan exclaims..."I give up!" Bryce looks up, smiles his crooked grin and says "good...that means you won't be spanking me". Smart kid.

war eagle

We had a great holiday weekend. Saturday I went shopping with my mom and Callie while my dad babysat Bryce (Bryan had to work). We then put the kids to bed, had dinner, and watched Auburn beat Alabama while eating bday cake. Boring game, I will admit. but who cares the next day when your team was the victor. wish I had been at Toomers corner to see the craziness. Jason went and I'm sure I will hear all about it tmrw. Football season is coming to a close, and Auburn didn't have the best season. but at least we can say that we beat Bama. and for the sixth time in a row. War Eagle!

I heart my new camera

I have been playing around with my new camera today. It has so many features that it is going to take me a very long time to really figure it out. I love black and white and I can actually shoot in black and white as well as sephia and a ton of other types. Here is a slideshow of some pics I took today. Let me know what you think!!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

things I am thankful for...

I have been thinking a lot about things to be thankful for this year. Of course everyone always lists the usual.....health, family, shelter, friends, etc. I decided to put together a list of some random things that I am thankful for

Toys with volume control and on/off switches

I absolutely hate any toy that talks, sings, or makes music and does not have a way to turn it off. And why is it that I always manage to kick one of these toys when checking on a sleeping child? Our toy box will randomly start singing if someone just happens to bump it.....drives me crazy

Disposable Diapers

I was talking with a mom of older kids yesterday and she was telling me about using cloth diapers. I am eternally grateful to the person that invented the disposable kind. and yes...I know that it is bad for the environment ,but so is driving a car and you probably do that everyday.

Poopfree baths

Gross, I know, but all mom's know what I am talking about. Yanking the kids out of a tub, wrapping them up, draining the dirty water, lysoling the tub, and then starting all over again is something all mom's have done at least once. And it is no fun whatsoever. I always do a silent cheer when bathtime is over and we have had no incidents.

Frozen chicken nuggets and boxed mac and cheese

What mom could live without these? They make life soooo much easier. Thank you tyson and kraft.

DVR

Both for me and the kids. I can now let Bryce watch Caliou whenever he wants. I can also watch Grey's Anatomy uninterrupted. A small victory every Thursday night.

Wine

Sitting in traffic some days with two screaming kids is no fun whatsoever. Knowing that there is a nice bottle of wine at home waiting for me after the kids are in bed makes it a little better.

Happy Turkey Day

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was wonderful. We spent the day at my parent's house. We had a great group of people (family from Florida, my cousin Danny, Mom, Dad, Jason, Byan's mom, and Jeff). We ate a great meal, played Catchphrase, watched football, and just hung out. Very lowkey and very fun. I got a new digital camera for my bday from my parents and Jason. Love it! You can look forward to lots more pictures as I figure it out. Here are some I took yesterday.

Bryce... doing his shy pose

Callie loves to say "cheese"...sounds more like "eeeeese", and make this face

Bryce and Uncle Jason

Callie and her Nana

Thanksgiving day group shot

I don't like scratch muffins

Bryan and I are really trying to watch what we eat (me for weight loss, him for possible career change...long story). This has led to a complete revamping of food choices in our home. I have decided that I really need to try to fix healthier things for the kids....less boxed and processed foods and more homemade, natural things.

I started this weekend with fresh veggies instead of canned which got a huge "gross" right away from Bryce. I then tried homemade Mac and Cheese instead of the boxed stuff. While Bryan and I both agreed that it was really, really, good (Barefoot Contessa recipe from the food network), Bryce and Callie both turned their noses up and refused to eat it. This frustrated me and after several "nice" attempts to get him to try it I finally went to the old "you need to eat 4 bites or no tv" standby.

This morning I again tried to stay healthy and I fixed homemade blueberry muffins instead of the mix from a bag (Bryce's favorite). When I called Bryce to the table and put one in front of him he screamed "yuck" right away. I told him that they looked different because they have fresh blueberries in them...just like he loves to eat from the carton. He took a tiny bite and spit it back out. At this point I am really frustrated and I tell him, "eat the muffin...I made them from scratch and they are really good". He then says " But mommy, you said they were blueberry muffins...I don't want scratch muffins" and starts to cry. I officially give up. Tomorrow we will be having Kraft mac and cheese and White Lilly Blueberry muffins.....who cares about preservatives!!

Somewhere out there

Bryan headed out tonight to hang out with some old high school friends. So I had a date night...with a four year old! Bryce and I had dinner...mac and cheese (homemade, not the boxed kind) and hotdogs. Then it was movie time. We found "An American Tail" at Walmart and he really wanted to watch it (he saw part of it on tv the other day). Such a great movie..I remember seeing a really long time ago. And I have always loved the main song from the movie..."Somewhere out there". Anyway...We spread out on the floor with blankets and lots of pillows, ate popcorn and mini marshmallows, and drank hot chocolate. I tried to get him to put the marshmallows in the hot chocolate, but he thought that was a "gross" idea. It was a great night. Bryce had a blast. He has decided that we should have "mommy and Bryce nights" more often. And I completely agree.

Thanks mom

My mom and I met at the Mall of Georgia this evening to get the kids some things for winter. Callie needed a winter coat, hat and gloves, and some basics (socks, etc).

Bryce really needed another pair of shoes. He has been getting by with only 1 pair and really needed at least one more pair. He LOVES his Crocs, but since they are the sandal kind (open toe) he can't wear them when it's cold out. He does not understand this and cries everyday when I tell him he can't wear them. So mom to the rescue!! She got Callie the cutest winter coat. It even has fur around the hood.....tooo freakin cute. And she got Bryce "winter" crocs. They are lined with the softest fleece material. I am secretly coveting both the coat and the shoes. I may just have to see if I can find some in my size!!

Don't tell a lie

Is it still wrong to lie if it's to keep your child from lying?
The new lie at our house is Santa knows every time you lie and he takes away one of your presents.
Here's a brief rundown of how the conversation goes:
Me: Bryce, did you wash your hands after you went potty (yes...I actually do use the word potty)?
Bryce: Yes
Me: are you sure... I didn't here the water?
Bryce: Yes Mommy, I washed my hands
Me: Bryce, are you lying to me?
Bryce: No way mommy
Me: okay...but Santa knows if your lying and he will take away one of the toys he was going to bring you
Bryce: Mommy, I said I washed my hands
Me: Alright. I hope you are right. I think he had a tractor for you. If you tell me a lie he will have to give it to another little boy
Bryce (after several seconds of deep thought): FINE...I didn't wash my hands. I'll go do it right now. will Santa still give me my tractor. can I tell him I'm sorry?
Me: If you tell me your sorry and promise to try to only tell the truth I think he will forgive you

I guess I will have one less present under the tree this year too!!

A trip to the farm and a football weekend

Sorry it's been forever since my last blog. We have been really busy and our weekends have been packed. Here's a brief run down.

Last weekend we went to South Georgia. Bryan has family down there and it is always fun to go and visit. They own a farm. Yes, that's right, a real working farm. Audrey and Andy were there with Erica and Hailey so Bryce had a ball. The kids took off right after breakfast to play and we didn't see them again until lunch. They had fun riding the golf cart and four wheeler down the field road behind the house and gathering pecans for the grownups. We visited Tony and Bev's and Bryce got to see the horses and cows. Callie loved the cows. She would wave frantically at them and yell. She wanted so badly to go out and play with the big kids. She is really walking now and loves to be outside.

Bryce on one of Jerry's older tractors

Bryce on his four wheeler and Hailey on the golf cart in the field behind the house. At one point Bryce was steering the golf cart and she was pushing the gas pedal!

Bryce on the tire swing

Callie...Thinking about the day when she can run and play with the big kids!!

A lazy afternoon spent fishing...Bryce and the girls

Uncle Jerry, Aunt Linda, Bryce and Callie. If you look behind them thru the trees you can see the fields where the kids played.

Yesterday I went to the UGA vs Auburn game in Athens (Bryan kept the kids at home). We tailgated, drank too much, and I actually went to the game (thanks to Jason and Jeff!!). Despite Auburn losing, it was a great day. I love tailgating. There's just something about being outside, eating yummy food, having a cold beer, and yelling for your favorite college team. There's nothing else like it. My cousin Danny (from NJ but in Vet school at UGA) and his dad were there (from NJ) and it made it even better. The north has its strong points but it doesn't come close to football in the south. I'd show you some pics of the day but when drinks start flowing at 10am you sorta forget that you have your camera with you!

Today we had dinner at my parents house with Danny and Danny. We spent the evening once again watching football...this time the Giants vs Cowboy game. I'm sorry to say the Giants lost. Yes...while I may go on and on about college football and the SEC I am still a yankee at heart and I still love the Giants.

Happy Halloween!

Bryce and Callie both had a wonderful Halloween. We had dinner with some friends who have a little boy Byce's age, and then took them trick or treating. Our friends have a golf cart and it was great getting to ride while the boys ran up to the doors. Of course, I ended up walking as well since Callie wanted to trick or treat like the big kids. She was so cute! She would say "knock, knock" and then when they came to the door she would wave and point at the candy. She also was determined to carry her pumpkin bucket by herself.

Bryce had a blast! When I asked him what he liked the best he said "getting candy". We had several instances where mommy had to step in with some firm words. The funniest being Bryce and Cody singing "Trick or Treat, smell my booty" to an older women when she opened her door (They learned Trick or treat, smell my feet and they thought it was the funniest thing!).

All in all it was an amazing evening. Hope each of you had a magical Halloween!!

Callie was a Tulip Fairy. Everyone kept saying she looked like one of the babies in the Annne Geddes pictures.

Bryce the Pirate.....he kept saying "Ahoy Ye Matee's, Arrrrrr"