'Tis the season...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Brian's family. His parents spoiled our little family while they were here. Brian and I are so blessed to have both come from Christian, semi-normal :) families. My mother-in-law and I ended up dragging Ben to a few stores with us on Friday. Friday night he started running a fever, but was all better by the morning. Brian also bought a Christmas tree this weekend. We decorated it today. I gave Ben a box of shatter-proof (aka plastic) ornaments and he had fun shooting those all over the house. But when we asked him to hang some ornaments, his eyes lit up. He had so much fun. This was the first year that he actually helped us out...so special. Anywho...I promise that I won't tell gross potty training stories the entire time we are going through the process, except for this one. Ben told his, um, poop bye-bye when he flushed the toilet. It was so funny!!!

I do not want to go back to work this week. I've really enjoyed having so much time off this month. I really do love this time of year. Hope you have a great start to you week!

I bought new ribbon for the tree this year and I'm really not feeling it. Brian said it looked like a clown's Christmas tree. While we were putting it on, he made circus music and honked his nose.

Wednesday is finally here!

I'm so excited that tomorrow is Thanksgiving! Hardly anyone will be at the office today so I should be able to get tons done. Hopefully there won't be any crises. I started my online Christmas shopping last night. We bought Ben one of those radio flyer trikes...I can't wait for it to get here!!! We were debating on the trike or a power wheel, but decided on the trike. I think Brian is a little disappointed. :) In other news, Ben peed in the potty last night! We made a big ol' deal about it and he got really excited. Kids are so freakin' funny!
Brian has today off and is still sleeping. I'm jealous! Ok, I'm headed to wake the Ben up. Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Work, work, work...

Today I had to travel to San Antonio to see a child on my caseload. She asked if we could go to the "Tower of America's" in downtown.


I'm a sucker sometimes with my kids and if I have the extra time, I'll usually let them talk me into a little something extra. Spontaneous is not really my style...I like having a schedule. Anywho...the park around the tower was absolutely gorgeous...waterfalls everywhere. The little girl, about 10 y/o, loved every bit. She asked if we could eat at the top and I reluctantly agreed, knowing that I was going to have to drop some moo-lah if we went there. Thankfully they had a kids' menu. She was as impressed as a 10 year old could be...even though they didn't serve cream gravy with her chicken strips. The real reason she wanted to eat up there was b/c the tower rotates as you eat. It was so much fun and really beautiful. The best part was knowing that this was special for her as well. So, after I finished my $16 salad, we rode the elevator back down. The kid had the nerve to ask for ice cream...which sounded kind of good. So of course we had some. :) After all of that, I asked her what her favorite part was...she said the ice cream. :)

Breakfast of Champions...or not.

Ben found Brian's stash of powdered donuts. And by "found" I mean that Brian left them out in the living room after a midnight snack. Ben saw them and HAD to have them. So Ben's watching his cartoons and eating daddy's donuts. I'm going to have clean the powered sugar off the couch before Brian gets home! :) Happy Saturday!

No more pity parties!

As I posted previously, the vacation to Vegas began with Ben getting sick and ended with me getting sick. But instead of focusing on the negatives of my quasi-vacation, I'm going to give you the high-lights. It was absolutely wonderful to see my sister and brother-in-law. They took wonderful care of us, even when Ben was being not so nice. Their new house is amazing! We ate at this yummy wood-oven (why is everyone making a big deal about wood ovens all of a sudden) pizza place. Ben and I shared the Hawaiian. It was so good! We got to go shopping at the outlets...my wonderful sister took care of Ben while we shopped so I could have a break. I bought the cutest green jacket...and I bought Ben some winter clothes. I found a really cute train/penguin sweater for him to wear for Christmas. On the way home, Ben slept the entire flight. I'm so thankful he doesn't mind planes. Every flight we had our own row, which is perfect when traveling with a toddler. And he slept the entire drive on the way home. But the thing that got me most excited about our traveling day...I got to take the HOV lane from downtown Houston all the way to Cypress. I'm now in love with the HOV lane. Anywho...Once we got home, I was pretty worthless. Yesterday, I slept from 9:30 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. and went to bed for the night at 11 p.m. I feel much more rested today, ready to get stuff done. I've already been to Wal-mart and started a soup in the crock-pot. Now I'm headed to unpack...oh, who am I kidding, I'm going to get one more nap in. :) Below is the ONLY picture I took the entire trip. Actually, I think my sister took it! Love you, Em!

Ben's reaction to too much Benadryl.

Vegas, baby...

So I'm on vacation. Ben has been sick since the plane landed in Las Vegas. Cruel joke?? I'm thinking so. And, to make matters worse, I gave him too much Benadryl, which TOTALLY freaked me out. So far, the only things I've bought are medicine and diapers. He is doing better today, but still pretty whiny. We are going shopping tonight...I'm hoping he is good. I'll post pictures later. :)

The monkey is in trouble...

On our way to daycare this morning, Ben started talking about a monkey. I asked him where the monkey was and he pointed outside. So I decided to play along. We decided the monkey was blue and named Ben. Then he started saying "monkey twubble," loosely translated as "the monkey is in trouble." Again I played along. It was the cutest thing ever. He would say "c'mon monkey" and "we hep (help) you." He did this for 30 minutes! Monkey in trouble, help the monkey, monkey in trouble, help the monkey, and on and on. At daycare, I told Mrs. Ernestine about the pretend monkey. Ben immediately told her the monkey was in trouble. Man, that monkey has had a rough morning!

Shaggy Boy!

I was looking at some recent pictures of Ben and boy, does he look SHAGGY! I have been trying to get Brian to get him a hair cut for a couple of weeks now. I think I'm going to take matters into my hands this afternoon. I'm a little bit scared b/c the last time I took him by myself, Brian said he looked like "Dumb & Dumber." I've been practicing what to tell the girl...keep the bangs long, trim up the sides, don't mess with the length. Whew! I really don't want him being shaggy for our trip to the big city :) but I also don't want him looking like Dumb & Dumber. What a predicament! We'll just have to see how it goes. In other little stresses news, I cannot find his new blue shoes. I looked everywhere this morning and couldn't find them. I'm hoping my husband knows where they are, but, let's be honest, men aren't always the best at finding things. :) Love ya, B! I'm going to clean and do laundry tonight so all I'll have to do tomorrow night is pack. I'll be on my way to sunny Las Vegas in less than 48 hours! Not the gambling and night-life Vegas, but the "my sister lives in Vegas b/c of her husband's job" kind of Vegas...very tame. When she first moved out there and people would ask where my sister lives, I'd say Vegas, she's a dancer there. Their reactions were priceless...then I would tell them she's an accountant. I don't think my sister likes that story too much. Anywho...happy Thursday!

Walmart Finds

So I went to Walmart today after work. I found the best thing EVER! Ready to eat cheesecake filling by Philidephia Cream Cheese. (Not sure why the underline is on...can't figure out how to turn it off) It is so incredibly delicious...it's like a tub of goodness. I didn't even get a graham cracker crust, b/c let's be honest...we all know that I'm just going to eat it out of the container. :) In other food news, I'm in a corn dog and Ramen phase. Loves me some Ramen and corndogs, but not together. My friend tells me I eat like a five year-old. Ok, just wanted to enlighten you on the cheesecake filling. Have a great Tuesday!

Great weekend

We had a great weekend with Brian's family. I forgot the camera at home but good times were had. Brian's brother was here for the weekend and it's always good to spend time with him. We even got to eat at Schoepf's BBQ in Belton...good ol' Belton. Ben got a new Wonder Pets toy from Uncle John. He calls it "funder fets." We're working on our pronunciation...his version of "truck" could get us in a lot of trouble at daycare. Anywho...I got him a new pair of shoes. He was very excited. Part of me thinks they look like a great-grandfather shoe, but part of me thinks they are just super cute. Also...6 days until I'm officially on VACATION. :)

He's saying "cheeeeese" but he doesn't look when he says it, which defeats the purpose, but it's just so hard to reason with a two year-old.

Digging the velcro!

Wish List

We got a ToysRUs paper in the mail today and Ben just loved it!! Without prompting, he pointed to a CARS riding toy and said "I want that." So cute! This Christmas is going to be a lot of fun I think b/c he's more aware of what's going on. I love the holidays...I hope to start my Christmas shopping this weekend with my mother-in-law. :) We'll see if we can sneak away. I bought something off of Etsy for the first time...handmade (or is it homemade) soap. I'm so excited about this. It's kind of sad how excited I am. Anywho...we're headed to Temple on Saturday for the night. Looking forward to seeing Brian's family. I'm so glad it's almost Friday.

I came across this quote today that I just love...
Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I would die for you. This is the miracle of love.
Maureen Hawkins

Realizations...

I have a two year-old who has begun biting his fingernails, thanks mostly to the "nail biting" gene both Brian and I passed on to him.

Ben's vocabulary is growing so much. He says "I don't know" and "C'mon mommy/daddy."

Ben says the best prayers ever..."Thank you for daddy, ben, mommy, bear, ...." He includes everyone from daycare, grandparents, etc. So sweet.

I have cooked spaghetti for the last three Sundays. I didn't plan it that way, just happened.

My fridge was kinda gross (Brian had that realization, actually).

I have the best husband b/c he cleaned out my fridge.

We have spent over $30 on sippee cups and we can only find three.

Ben is nowhere close to being ready for potty training.

I LOVE Ben's weekend naps, b/c then I get to sleep as well.

I had forgotten how liberating it is to vote.

Texas really does have beautiful fall colors.

Rental cars without cruise control are worthless.

Life is good...Ben is in a really whiney stage and it's driving us nuts. Work is crazy. But over all, life is good. :) Happy Tuesday!

A Halloween Miracle!

The title may be a bit offensive, but whatever. :) The miracle...Ben wore his elephant costume! When we were ready to leave for the party, he put it right on. We practically ran to the car before he changed his mind. I even forgot his diaper bag. He would only wear the top part, not the pants, but who cares. He made the elephant noises...so cute!

The kid had on a fleece elephant costume with a hood, and he wanted his blanket.

He went through those balloon animals rather quickly.


Considering the moon bounce.

Loving the moon bounce. :)

Saying "hi" to daddy.

Hydrating...the kid was so sweaty, but still in his elephant.

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Brian's school has a pumpkin carving contest every year. His turned out so great this year...of course he won!