How Fast They Grow!

I Could Make a Fortune. . .

I've made a HUGE discovery! I've found the BEST exercise you can do to lose weight and build muscle. It's called taking two young children to the photo studio to have their pictures made. I'm thinking of making a video to specifically outline the program. Here's how it goes:

1. It all starts when you rack your brain before you call the studio trying to decide what time is best to photograph both children (separately AND together) when they will both be in reasonably good moods.
2. The day of the appointment, bathe both children and groom them in 30 minutes or less.
3. Pack the bag - don't forget a brush (and in SOME people's cases hairbows - alas, I have no opportunity for hairbows), the right kind of socks, and antipersperant (for you, of course).
4. Schlep everyone to the car.
5. Arrive at the place too early.
6. Try to keep the children from getting upset while "taking turns" with the 25 other children in the room who want to play with the two toys the "studio" has invested in.
7. Go in the room.
8. Dance around to get kid #1 to smile.
9. Snatch kid #1 off the table and change his clothes.
10. Dance around for kid #2.
11. Throw kid #1 on the table with kid #2.
12. Dance around for both kids.
13. Snatch kid #2 off the table.
14. Dance around for kid #1's shots in the 2nd outfit (only if you are VERY brave).
15. Schlep everyone out of the room and stand while holding 25 lb. weight (or in my case non-walking baby), look at pictures, and stand on kid #2 to keep him from going nuts!
16. Stagger out to the car and collapse - you've reached total muscle failure - CONGRATULATIONS!

Musicals, Birthdays, Cousins, and Weapons

We have again arrived home from a whirlwind trip to visit the family. We did lots of things while we were there . . . (don't be alarmed I won't go into full detail, but merely an overview).

First, we left Thursday afternoon around 6:30 p.m. so the drive was quite peaceful! JT watched a video followed by sleep, Charlie took a bottle followed by sleep, and I watched "Pride and Prejudice" on the dvd after everyone was asleep. Upon arrival, however, the peaceful state I described earlier was replaced by utter chaos. Everyone woke up during the move from car to house and didn't get back to sleep until around midnight. HOWEVER, we were all up at our regular waking hour of 7:00 a.m. Not a pretty sight!

Friday we went to Jackson to see my nephew Wilson in his school production of "Once upon a Mattress". It was excellent and I must say the my nephew is quite the crooner and actor - I feel certain that some of this talent came from our side of the family. I wish a had a photo to post of it, but my camera was forgotten in the car.

Saturday we had Charlie's first birthday party. I am torn between tears and joy. Mainly because the child is a year old (on the 13th), a HUGE 25 pounder to lug around, and WILL NOT WALK. He's perfectly capable, but will not do it. At any rate, the party was lots of fun, presents were plentiful, and multiple cupcakes were eaten! I managed to make it through the ENTIRE event without saying something completely embarrassing or sticking my foot down my throat - which is a first for me and I know you are all disappointed. So, I'll leave you with some photos and hope that next time I'll have some good conversation to relate.

First, you shove your hand in icing and cry because you don't like it.


Next, your mommy gives you an actual taste of it and you get a little more into it.


Finally, you've managed to devour an entire cake!















Here's the big brother (and cousins) after trying to get a lick of icing.


Oh, and weapons . . . Jon Thomas finally owns a gun! It's taken Daddy three long years to sneak one in, but now we officially have a Buzz Lightyear gun - and boy do we LOVE IT with a passion. Now my mantra has become one of two things - "we don't shoot people with guns" or "we don't shoot our brother." Thanks Daddy!