Kitchen help

All three come with impeccable references.

Alabama v. Tennessee

We went to the Alabama-Tennessee game last weekend.  Although the big rivalry continues to be (and will forever be) Alabama-Auburn, we have been carrying a grudge against Tennessee since they have long been suspected of narc-ing us in the 1990's, resulting in sanctions, loss of scholarships and causing some spectacularly bad seasons for the Tide.  Accordingly, Tennessee received a cold greeting at Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

To be fair, a Tennessee fan was sitting with us.  She was charming, lovely and had plenty to cheer about during the first half.

After that tough first half (which I personally attribute to the Tide's LSU prep), they were able to finish with the predicted 30 point advantage.

Richardson = Touchdown, Alabama! In fact, if he were from Alabama (v. Pensacola, Florida), I would argue that they should rename his home town "Touchdown".

With the LSU game looming, my nerves are a little jittery.  Ranked beneath #1 LSU, Alabama becomes the underdog, and we always perform better as the underdog -- particularly at home.  Second, LSU chanting "We Want Bama" after obliterating Auburn is powerful motivation.    Here's to hoping that's enough to overcome the sheer craziness of Les Miles. 

A mini update

I am woefully behind on loading photos, scheduling updates, etc.  Until a miracle occurs (and I am current), I'll share a tidbit from Friday afternoon.  George and I went to school to pick up the girls. 

The weather was  awesome so we decided to play outside for a while.  The girls rode bikes, raked leaves, played with their strollers and rode their scooters.  When it was time to go inside, we formulated our plan for the evening:  ordering pizza and making birthday cards for Skip.  (Skip was flying home from Detroit Friday night, and his birthday was Monday.)  After dinner, we got out the art supplies and made cards. They were so excited, but were willing to wait until Monday to gift the cards.  They promised they could keep the cards a secret.

Skip arrived home as we were wrapping up our pre-bedtime story/song time.  When he entered the room, Lauren said, "Daddy, I made you something, but I can't tell you what it is."

Gracie bolted upright in the bed, saying, "IT'S A CARD, DADDY!!!!  I MADE YOU A CARD!!!!!!!!"

I think we can rule out a career in military intelligence.  Journalism, maybe? 

Children at play

During July and throughout August, George was in big demand to be held.  Now there are often comments about how heavy he is.  They are in for a rude awakening in the months and years to come.

By way of an update on how we roll, here are a few shots of us at play. This post is going to be fragmented, but our play routine is not altogether linear and organic.  Below, Gracie appears agitated because I am taking her picture while she is feeding her baby...  she is "busy," and I was accused of waking her baby.  She doesn't look very happy with me, does she?
 

In another area of our home, George likes the shaker, even if it is pink. 

He played and played with that shaker....

Until this happened (below)...

Once Baby George was indisposed, the girls were free to work on a giant Hello Kitty puzzle with cousin Lexy.  We are all about the Hello Kitty

On tap for this afternoon:  riding bicycles after school.  

Friday's quote

"The most compelling reason for most people to buy a computer for the home will be to link it into a nationwide communications network. We're just in the beginning stages of what will be a truly remarkable breakthrough for most people--as remarkable as the telephone."

-Steve Jobs, 1985

Screaming Yellow Zonker

Meet our new car:  a 2012 yellow Camaro. 

So practical for us!

Actually, this car was Skip's rental recently, but we enjoyed it for the brief amount of time she was ours. 

Portraits, 3 months and five years

Below are George's three month photos (the home version).  We are going to try to venture out for his official photos, as well as the girl's semi-annual photos, in the next couple of days.  The below is in the event that we do not make it and/or there is a lack of cooperation. 

(For the record, George is not wearing a dress; it is a sleep sack from Strasburg.)

George, three months

George has an amazing, ear-to-ear smile that he flashes very regularly.  Unfortunately, the camera tends to earn a serious expression so I have all of these shots of his half-smile.  Better a half smile than a scowl, I suppose.  Also, I had planned for a wardrobe change (mainly because I knew the sleep sack thing was going to leave me vulnerable for heckling), but he was really tired so he turned in for a nap instead. 

Again, it's a sleep sack and not a dress. 

I have finally accepted that our door does not work as a back drop with the lens I use for photos. This realization has come slowly, but I get it now.

Lauren and Grace, five years:

So much better.

Weekend update

After our pumpkin patch adventures Friday, we went to my niece's game Friday night. That sentence makes the sequence of events sound much more tidy than it actually was. Remember, the girls looked like this by Friday afternoon:

Although there is no pictorial evidence, I looked about the same. So when Skip said he thought we might want to take the girls to see Lexy march, I asked him if he was crazy. Because, while we have been wanting to go to one of her games and definitely wanted to see her, we were really wiped out.

As can be the case, a little rest changed our perspective.  We rallied and were very excited to go see Lexy! The band did an awesome job, and the team had several exciting plays. Grammie joined us, and we also got to see my dad and stepmother, too, so it was a great night.   PawPaw and Ms. Eva gave the girls football ribbons.  Although they weren't quite sure what to make of them at first, they quickly realized that ALL the big girls at the game had them, and they quickly embraced the look. 

Baby George is teething, and he was really uncomfortable so we left during the third quarter. 
First, a quick visit with Lexy:

Saturday afternoon, we went to a fall festival at Skip's parents' church.  The girls played so many games that they kind of became compulsive with the prizes, but they had a great time and really loved visiting with all of Gran and Poppa's friends. 

Here is a quick shot of all three pumpkins, each looking in a different direction, of course.  With so much excitement, they weren't sure where to look next!

Sunday, after church, we played outside and enjoyed more amazing weather.  

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Last Friday was our very first school trip, and we went to the pumpkin patch.  We arrived at school, checked in, and then followed the bus to the farm.  Due to the caravan style of travel and the fact that the trip was going to take most of the day, Baby George did not attend. 

The girls started out STRONG.  They were boldly prepared to take on the pumpkin patch.  Gracie, wearing her "Boo!" shirt, was particularly ready to frighten fellow attendees. 

Pumpkin patch, here we come!!!

We arrived and hung out while the buses unloaded, and then everyone prepared for the hay ride.

In no time flat, we were in the field picking out our pumpkins.  After surveying a number of options, they were able to settle on two good picks. 

Then they enjoyed the hay stacks and playing in the hay with all of their friends. 

We checked out the farm animals ("stinky") and made our way over to the pony rides.  Gracie has ridden a pony every single year and at every possible festival and opportunity, but this year she elected to watch.  Lauren saddled up and had a great time. 

After the pony rides, we ate lunch with their class.  If you have not eaten lunch with four K4 classes, I highly recommend it.  I have a new found respect for their K4 teachers, to say the least.  After lunch, we rode the train, and then the class boarded the buses for the return trip to school. 

The girls begged to go to the bounce houses.  I conceded, earning a couple of compliments from Lauren:

"Mommy, you're so beautiful."
"You're the best mom ever!!!"

Funny.

   

We hit the six bounce houses with a vengeance!  They totally owned those bouncers!

I drug them out of the last bounce house approximately 45 minutes later.  They were exhausted, in need of water and asking me to crank up the air conditioning in the car. 

After our arrival home, they slept for two solid hours.  While having a post-nap snack of Goldfish crackers, Lauren asked, "Why are we eating Goldfish crackers for breakfast?"  She was so disoriented she thought it was Saturday morning. 

Pumpkin Patch: 1; Gracie & Lauren:  0

Gracie's brood

Friday's quote

"That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."
-Steve Jobs

When your grandparent thinks you're whining, you're probably whining

Skip took a day trip for work today so Grammie watched Baby George while we went to dance. 

Sometimes our less-than-best behavior is on display during the small window after preschool and before dance.

You know the behavior is definitely questionable if it elicits correction/discipline from a grandparent. 

Or, as I told Skip once he arrived home earlier this evening when he commented on the degree of whining/complaining, "Grammie was 'cracking skulls' around here before dance!"

Are you old enough to get the 80's Brat Pack reference?



Status report

Throughout the school year last year and into the current year, Gracie has received a daily status report from her teacher.  She always receives a good report, and the information gives us a good idea of what transpired during the day.  Monday's report was remarkable for two reasons.  First, Gracie slept at school -- something that has only happened twice before.  Second, Gracie received something other than "compliant" for behavior.  Specifically, Gracie was sad because we did not pack her drink in her lunch box.*  Instead, she had to drink milk from the lunch room instead of ice water from her Hello Kitty thermos. 

So... is this a report about Gracie or about her neglectful parents? 

*Gracie told me last week she was "real sad about Skittles" so she does tend to be sensitive about food/drink issues.





Christmas lists

Fall brings with it so many wonderful traditions: cooler weather, colorful leaves, harvest traditions, and all of those Christmas catalogs. Gracie and Lauren are making sure to share all of the catalogs with Baby George and are teaching him all about making a Christmas list. Gracie likes to take George's hand and point to objects.

Lauren provides George with lengthy explanations about how the holidays work. "See, George, Santa Claus comes to our house. We leave him cookies and crackers, and we feed the reindeer. He leaves presents!"


 

George is very skeptical.

And he's pretty sure he doesn't want any dolls. 

George exclaims, "No, I don't want Kitt Kittredge!!!"

George wants to make his own list.