This is what happens...

...when mom tries to sleep in on a Saturday.

Playtime

For some reason, I used to think "Playtime" was stressful with the kids. I have no idea why. They didn't move anywhere and my involvement was pretty much making sure there were batteries in the jumperoo. But alas, I was afraid they would start screaming bloody murder at any second or lack a skill that I was not teaching them properly.

Now, two years later, Playtime is just, well fun with my babies.

"I'd like some soup"

"Oh good. It's very tasty."

Uncle Matt & Aunt Melissa

We had some special guests this weekend. A good time was had by all, especially Lily.

Pig tales

Dear Little Girl. You are growing up too fast. Please slow down. Mommy.

Today was the first day I was able to put Lily's hair in pigtails. As many of you know the whole reason I ever wanted a daughter was so that I could put her hair in pigtails. Today, marked the first time.

In other big girl news, Lily is now fully potty trained. I only hope her brother is as cooperative.

Also, dad is out of town. Let's eat cake. For breakfast.

Lily doesn't really like the cake part. She just scoops off all the chocolate icing and gives the cake to Zane.

Snack time madness: MINE

(a glimpse into my everyday)

(that's a chip being hurled across the kitchen...and yes disciplinary action was taken on both parties after the camera was put down)

Rainy day fun

Lily laughs fiendishly.

"You only said no stamping the counter."

How to burn energy when it's cold and rainy outdoors. Garage chase!

Bailey

She secretly dreams of being a snow leopard.

Useful Kid Tricks

Zane Dance Party 2011

He always has been and will be, a dancing machine.

...and as you can tell at 1:50, we are potty training.

Lily has a pet

and his name is Zane. Notice how she points to the cup.

(and listen for the "good boy" at 0:36)

Cotton Bowl 2011

Jason and I had the distinct privilege of going to the Cotton Bowl this year! Thanks to Pop who was able to pull our seats and man, were they good seats. Nana and PawPaw also drove up from Houston to come and babysit Zane and Lily so that we could have the whole night off! It almost felt like we were back in college again.

And this really made us feel like we were back in college again. Dom was Jason's roommate and Jenny was my roommate. And also...our best man and maid of honor. I feel so lucky to have them both in our lives.

Kyle and Erin were also in attendance.

The sunset during our tailgate gave us a glimmer of hope that the game would be a good one.

The four of us...well 4.5 of us. (can't wait to meet Emma's little sister!)

We had a great time and even though we lost, I'm so grateful we got to go.

Enough about me...look at my cute children.

Zane sleepy...Lily up to no good.

Sunday Snow!

It's snowing!

Random pictures from the kitchen island

We made some homemade guacamole. Zane approved and devoured the whole thing himself.

Lily working on her dry erase mats.

I LOVE this. Lily is my daughter. We were working in her workbook and she says, "what's this?". I said, "you need to connect the arrow to the star..." before I could get out, "...by connecting the camels in the path" She goes "OK!" and connects them and looks at me like, duh that was easy, next please.

hmmm...interesting, Zane is giving his right hand a try. Ambidextrous?

Christmas morning

The big reveal!

(Grandma is more of the Christmas hostess, I'm more of the sit on the couch and observe type) :)

Lily rocking out on her new keyboard, with her new ballerina skirt, with her new helmet. The helmet was fortuitous as you will see.

Christmas Lights

One of the events I was looking forward to this year was going to look at Christmas Lights with Zane and Lily. We grabbed some Chick-fil-a, ate dinner in the car, turned up the Christmas music and browsed around. Lily loved it, Zane just wanted to eat his fries and go home. Maybe next year he'll be a little more excited about the whole deal.

Above is some video of us driving around, Lily's comments always crack me up but that's because I think she's hilarious.

Favorite parts include
0:32 when Lily starts singing along to the music
1:50 Lily gives her opinion
3:17 Zane's enthusiasm for being there (and Lily repremanding him)
3:45 Lily saw a merry-go-round done up in lights and really wanted to ride it
4:12 Lily apparently has income
4:35 Zane's enthusiasm again

Merry Christmas!

"Dad, There is NO way I used to fit in that!" (yes baby girl you did)

(Lily Oct 2008)

This week Aunt Jodie stopped by with Baby Grace. Lily is a non-stop fountain about Baby Grace. She talks about her constantly, yet when Baby Grace actually shows up at our door, Lily gets quiet, shy and meek around her friend. Funny how kids do that.

Mommy is about 85% recovered from being sick. Her favorite way to get better is to cuddle up with Zane on the couch and fall asleep. (PS Zane knows when it's mommy cuddle time, he excitedly runs to his crib, grabs his sucker/monkey/puppy and wiggles into the most comfortable position possible...then zones into TV land for a good half hour)

Because mommy is getting lots of rest, daddy has been getting up with Z&L in the mornings...and giving them hot chocolate. What are daddies for...

Christmas Eve, Grandma, Lily and I baked lots of cookies and biscotti. Here, I'm chopping green peppers for Memaw's famous Gumbo that was served on Christmas day. Lily helped with the chopping too, in her own way.

Christmas morning was sort of like this. A giant blur. The kids were in love and unwrapped presents with gusto and amazement. Next step, clean out the old toy cabinet and give things away! Out with the old and in with the new...

Dad found this bounce thing at Walmart and had to buy it. It took us over two hours to get it inflated and it was not looking like a great idea at midnight on Christmas Eve. However, it was a huge hit. Lily's favorite game? Playing "washing machine" with Grandma. Agitate and SPIN CYCLE!

More picture are to come, I just need to get them off of Grandma's camera. I, once again, got too wrapped up in the spirit to take pictures!

Hope you had a wonderful Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Update on the past week

Lily has been not feeling well. Well, mommy nor babies have been feeling well for quite a while now but Lily's seems funk nastiness to be hanging around. Those aren't tears from crying, her eyes just run like that all day long.

Zane enjoys his penne pasta like any toddler should

Beads for Advent thanks to Nana.

And Zane was very excited about his golf balls. Don't let the "put that camera away" look fool you.

Uncle Shankar was in town and came to visit. He had a grand time playing the ol' "count to 3 and watch them jump" game. He soon learned that toddlers CAN outlast you.

Fall has fallen and winter has come. Last picture of my tree out front with leaves. The next morning it was naked and shivering.

Thank you Meme!

Sorry for the mumbles, we're all still real stuffy around here :)

Weather is nice today

Lenny our backyard Lizard says good morning!

It's almost winter right?

Time for colds!

Both kids are under the weather.

Fevers and runny eyes/noses.

Poor babies.

Today is sponsored by The TV & Tylenol

First Christmas Play

Please take 3 minutes to see how cute my kids are... :)

Highlights include

0:47 Zane's favorite part of stomping your feet

1:13 Zane finally giving into the kid behind him who kept obsessively shaking his head (monkey see monkey do)

1:21 My children were the ONLY two year olds with rhythm with the ability to clap on beat

1:58 For some reason Lily, Zane and 2 other children were separated from the rest of the class so Lily was very concerned with all the other kids and kept checking on them the whole play

2:31 Zane not only gives himself applause but he also takes a bow. What a showman.