Why I Love North Carolina..

NOT!!!

I weeded this flower bed yesterday.

(You can see the bucket of weeds that I had yet to trash.)

Dee went out this morning to put a letter in the mailbox and called me out to see this!

So much for weeding the rest of the yard. I won't go out there until the frost. Snakes hibernate.

Hello, Helga.

One of the gifts Carly got for her birthday was a make-up set. Thank you, Avery! Avery, Carly and Leighton were doing each other's make-up. I am not sure if Leighton was trying to make Carly ugly or if she really had no idea what she was doing.

She looks just like Helga Pataki from Hey, Arnold.

No worries, after a little soap and water, Avery fixed Carly up beautifully.

She's OLD, I'm OLDER!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy BuG!

It is hard to believe that I have a nine year old.

Carly was such a special surprise. We didn't plan for her or how having Carly would change our lives. We wouldn't trade her for the world. She has come so far from that tiny, not even 3 month old baby who had to have open heart surgery.

She amazes the teachers and doctors and even, sometimes, us! She is her own person and will do whatever she puts her mind to. We love her more each day and can't imagine our lives without this wonderful young lady.

I'm Back in Business

I have always been pretty crafty. I love to craft and will try anything at least once. I have not crafted much since we moved. I have stuff shoved in the attic, a mess of a crap craft closet and some more things shoved under my bed. That does not bode well for fun and easy crafting. Well, I decided that the mess was no longer going to stop me and this weekend I went a little crazy.

A memo board for Carly. And, of course, one for Leighton.A small sampling of the hair clips.

(Out here we have to make our own, they don't sell them anywhere.)A very happy, sparkly girl.A close up. She insisted on pink glitter.Two is always better than one.Leighton's tote bag. It just needs to be stitched.This wasn't made this weekend, but I wanted to show how well it has held up. I made it at least 3 years ago. Stitched and WonderUnder make it indestructible.

Next on my list: some korkers for Jensyn.

I just found all my craft magazines and now, I must read.

The Newest Gamer

I know this thing is supposed to do something.Maybe, if I do this.Maybe if I tap harder.Maybe that was the wrong spot.This is fun!

Cheap Crafting with the Kids

I always have eager helpers whenever I craft. I usually have a little craft similar to mine to keep the girls occupied, so I can finish mine. I, like everyone else, have been trying to save a little money, but I still NEED to craft. So, I had the girls go out in the yard and pick the biggest rock they could carry. We brought them inside, washed and dried them and then picked out paint.

Carly the fashionista of the two, picked baby pink, hot pink, and chocolate brown.

Leighton, who is all about the glamour, went for purple and red.

I guess she is planning for her entrance into the Red Hat Society at 60.Carly's finished rock, named Cinderella.Leighton's finish rock, named Selena. After they dried, the girls took them outside, that pesky 'No rocks in the house rule.' Cinderella and Selena have swung on the swings, gone down the slide, slept next to both the cat and the dog, rested in a potted plant, taken a ride in the wagon, etc. I'm sure they will live a long and happy life. But the most important thing??? I got my craft done. YAY!

SHE WALKS!!

Okay, maybe not walks, but she took two steps. Grandpa came over and put up helped Dee install ceiling fans in the girls' rooms. He set Jensyn down on the floor and she stood there, unassisted, for at least 20 seconds. Then, he knelt in front of her and stood her up again. She took two steps toward him.

This kid is going to be the death of me. I get so worried that she is behind in her development and then she goes from barely crawling on all fours to walking in a week.

I will try to catch her on video so you can see.

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER!-updated

My family claims to read this blog, but they never comment. I am posting my brother's secret, I think, recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Maybe this will force him to comment, even if it is just to threaten my life.

Kyle's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 - 1/3 c. shortening

1 - 1/3 c. butter

2 c. sugar

2 c. brown sugar

4 eggs

4 tsp. vanilla

6 - 1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. soda

2 tsp. salt

24 oz. chocolate chips

2 c. chopped nuts-optional

Mix shortening, butter, sugar and brown sugar just until blended.

Add eggs and vanilla, blend until almost smooth.

Add flour, soda and salt. Mix well.

Blend in chocolate chips and nuts- if used.

Drop by spoonful on ungreased baking sheet.

This is where I love my medium dough scoop, thanks, Kelly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-11 minutes or until bottom is golden brown.

Top of cookies will look somewhat raw.)

Makes 8 dozen cookies.

A Promise Fulfilled

Do you remember this

and the comment that neither Tia nor Sharon has aged since college? Y'all didn't believe me, so I promised to post pictures? My scanner has cooperated, so here they are:

This is Sharon brushing her teeth.

Sharon at the bottom of our stairs (yes, we had a two story apartment, fancy, I know.

Not so great however, the only bathroom-upstairs)A little bit closer of Sharon. She seems to be posed for something. Have to say Sharon, loving the Tevas and socks. (Don't laugh, it is cccccold in Logan. Gotta keep the toes covered at all times)Sharon on her bed. See, other than her hair-SAME! Disgusting, not Sharon, but the fact that she has not aged.This is Tia after a hard day at JB's -note the malted milk balls stuck to the bottom of her shoes. (Also note the 1970 avocado green carpet in my bedroom.)This is Tia all slicked up for her date with Lee Bott.

(What a memory, you say! No, I read the back of the picture before I scanned it.)

See, other than the hair-SAME! Bonus picture for Sharon and Tia. Sharon make sure you show this to Jacob. (He is eating Robin's Eggs, we must have been having an early Easter treat.)

Tia/Sharon- I have more, if you are interested LMK and I will email them to you. After this trip down memory lane, I have decided that I don't need the depression that follows seeing my college roommates after 15 years and being the only one that looks even a day older. I love you guys, but next time count me out.

JK-Don't you dare have fun without me!

Watch Out, Michael Flatley!

This is Leighton's answer to Michael Flatley's River Dance.

My New Favorite Show

I am almost ready to give up t.v.

The girls have a puppet theatre and it has recently been liberated from the attic.

Leighton's shows consist of fighting Daffy and Bugs and carpenters with nails in their heads that must be removed by nurses. (apparently too many violent movies)

They always end with a beautiful smile and a "THE END". Carly's are more love and sunshine. Everyone has fun, until...... Jensyn is definitely a fly in the ointment.

Jensyn's Stats

(not Jensyn, but very cute)

Jensyn has turned into a little mountain goat. She must get to the top of any and everything.

She is FINALLY crawling, consistently, on all fours.

She has gone from the 6th to the 32th percentile for weight. She is nearly 20 pounds. Hurray for butter!

She is in the 76th percentile for height. I think she might be mine!

Jensyn is finally starting to get the sign language thing. 'If I make this movement, Mommy gives me what I want. AMAZING!' I love it when that little switch turns on, you can almost see the enlightenment in their eyes.

And last but not least, we have moved her out of our room and into Leighton's room upstairs. It has been wonderful to be able to get on/off my bed without Jensyn popping up and being awake for the night.

What's Up, Doc?

**This post is NOT for the faint of heart or those,

like Dee, who have a thing about teeth.**

Carly had to have two teeth pulled. Her teeth are way too big for her little mouth and the permanent teeth need some space to come down. She promised to be brave and not cry (her idea-not mine).

This is the before picture.Dr. Don was done in less than 20 minutes. She came out numb and concerned, but as promised, no tears.
These are the beasts. The bottom fourth is tooth and the rest is root.
Sorry for the blurry picture, apparently my camera doesn't do close-ups very well.


This is after the numbing wore off. So, what do you think?
Bugs Bunny or a cute little beaver?

Yes, I know that both her glasses and her face are dirty.

Love/Hate Relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with my stairs. Here is why...

- I love not have to see this kind of mess unless I choose to go upstairs

-I love the 'No toys downstairs rule.'
-I love that I am not concerned about Polly Pockets or other small toys ending up in Jensyn's esophagus.

Until now...

Jensyn can crawl all the way up the stairs, to GIRL HEAVEN.

And it's a long way back down!

(I think we have figured out what she needs for her birthday, a gate.)

Just a Little Taste

This is just a LITTLE taste of the scream that Bridgie taught Jensyn.

You might want to turn it down a bit to avoid destroying both your eardrums and your speakers.

Sorry for the picture quality, but I was focused on capturing the primal scream.

Thanks again, Bridger!!

Wordless Wednesday

Sorry, I know it is supposed to be wordless, but is he excited or what?!?

We're Swingers!

No, not that kind!

The swings are up and going.

Jensyn especially loves hers.

So much in fact that she was trying to give it a love.Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!