Got to love them!

Sometimes, you just really have to love innocence. A week or two ago, I had to be pulled aside at the Y-after school program to be told what my darling girl had done to get into trouble. It was really hard not to laugh and keep a straight face when I had to talk to her about it later. So, this is how it went:
"Mrs. Smith, Aubrey got into trouble today with another little girl."
"Oh, what did she do?"
"Well...(I can tell he is VERY uncomfortable.) They were sort of licking each other."
I raise my eyebrow at him.
"When I fussed at them and told them they don't need to be doing that. Aubrey stated, 'We were only tongue fighting'. I told them they don't need to be spreading germs, and what if one of them had eaten a bug, then you would be eating one, too."
Trying to keep a straight face, "Oh, and how did they respond?"
"They were pretty grossed out. It was completely innocent, and they didn't see anything wrong with what they were doing."
"Thank you. I will talk to her at home."
So, I asked Aubrey before we left, "Where did you learn that?" Praying that it wasn't something like "You and Daddy do it." And her response, "Laurie taught me." Sigh...apparently, they stick their tongues out and use them as swords in the shower. Needless to say, I sat them both down and talked to them about not 'tongue fighting' because it spreads germs. Now if I can only keep them from 'tongue fighting' until they are 30...

Thanksgiving Day

Wednesday night, the girls and I went to Pie Night at Angela's. Which is a very glutenous activity Jason's family came up with. The night before Thanksgiving you have everyone over and they bring a dessert. That's all you eat-really, that's it. Granted, it is a good idea, because who really has room to eat dessert after a Thanksgiving meal?
Anyhoo, afterwards I took the girls to my mom's to spend the night. Jason and I had registered for the Turkey Trot-a 5 mile race around downtown Austin. Mom said she would keep the girls, so we could go. I am very thankful for my mother. Apparently, my youngest threw up all over her bed at 2:00am on Thursday. Then went to Laurie's room and threw up on the side of her bed. Laurie got Grammy up by shouting "Aubrey threw up!", and as Aubrey was heading to the bathroom-she threw up in the hallway. (Can I just say one more time-I am thankful for my mother!) Jason and I did the race not knowing what was happening at my mother's, and when I called my mom to let her know we were done-she let me know what happened. We got to my mom's, and I sat with Aubrey for a little bit. I just had a sneaky suspension that Aubrey needed to go to the restroom and asked Jason to take her. Needless to say, she threw up all over the bathroom trying to hit the toilet. (I am thankful for that little voice in my head that told me to get Jason to take Aubrey to the restroom.) Poor baby!
I stayed with my mom and Aubrey at Grammy's house while Jason and Laurie went to his family's house for lunch. Jason brought mom and I plates of food and fed me while I held a sleeping Aubrey. A few hours later, Jason brought us some desserts. (He's a good husband, and I'm thankful for that!)
I went back with him to his family's house and visited while Aubrey slept some more. Then Aubrey and I headed home. Laurie went to Avery's house for a sleep-over, and Jason watched the UT game with his family. On the way home, Aubrey kept asking me why no one wanted to be around her while she was sick. She couldn't understand that we didn't want to spread the germs and get everyone sick. Either that or she is learning to give really good guilt trips early!
Aubrey is doing much better-not eating much, but no fever since Thursday at 4. The rest of the family doesn't seem to have caught the bug. I am VERY thankful for that!
Needless to say, there are no pictures from Thanksgiving. You should be thankful for that!

Thanksgiving Luncheon

On Thursday, Jason and I went to Aubrey's class to watch her Thanksgiving program. They sang Thanksgiving songs and then we sat down to lunch with her. Third grade 'doesn't have any fun' according to Laurie's teacher, but we did get to see Laurie during lunch, too. The teacher next to Aubrey's class told me that Aubrey does the best turkey tango! You will have to ask her to do it for you. She is extremely cute! Here's some picture of the program and lunch.

My Brillant Daughter!

Laurie is extremely bright and I just have to brag on her. I have a program on the graphing calculator that goes over basic facts with integers. I wanted her to practice her subtraction facts, so I set it up for her to do 20 problems. I forgot that the program would give problems like '4-5=?'. When she got it wrong-she asked me about it. I explained that when the first number was smaller than the second number, she would get a negative answer. I showed her how to make a negative number on the calculator, and she continued to get the rest right. No other explanation needed-she just got it! I bragged to Jason-he said it was genetics. I'm just wondering why my 8 year old can get it, but my middle schoolers and freshman couldn't...

Halloween Pics!

Here's the girls and Brian (our neighbor boy) on Halloween. Pictures by Diane! Also, Jason gave himself a Mohawk for Halloween. The girls loved it, but you can't get a true Mohawk when you shave your head most of the time... LOL!

Pumpkin Carving Take 2

On October 25th, we went to Taryn's and Tristan's for the annual pumpkin carving party. Luckily for me, Angelique Matheny was there and took pity on me. She carved Laurie's witch pumpkin. She had carved her son's, Isaac, and then carved Laurie's for me. I think she had more experience than me. Jason carved Aubrey's spider one. He took the longest, because it was very detailed. I was surprised she picked that one-due to the fact she had me kill a spider before we went to the party.

Isaac was a storm trooper, Taryn was part of High School Musical, Tristan was a skeleton zombie, and the girls were the witch and the black cat.

Halloween Costumes!

This year Laurie decided to be a witch for Halloween. Aubrey decided to be a black kitty-again. Luckily, Aubrey's costume still fit from last year. I had to buy new ears, and then promptly found the ones from last year as soon as I got home. Figures...Here's their costumes. I am going to be out of town for Halloween, so I don't know if we will get a bunch of trick or treating pictures or not. Jason is getting good at taking pictures...there is hope! Plus, Jim and Diane said they would come over to help Jason with the girls. Keep your fingers crossed!

Transportation Parade - 10/24

Every year the girls' school has a transportation parade with the kindergarteners designing some transportation for them to be in a parade for the whole school. (Basically, whatever the parents make for them. =-) Aubrey wanted to be a 'red rocket'. Where did she get that bright idea from you ask? Well, at church her class is the 'red rockets' and that's what she wanted. So, I got boxes from my mom and Aunt Carolyn to make the rocket and bought the red paint and brushes. Jason and his dad designed it and put it together. Thank goodness, I don't think I would have done a great job. I think she had a good time. Here's the pictures Jason took from the parade: (Some of the parents went all out!)

She got a little upset that some of the blasters fell off:

But Laurie seemed to have a good time!

Pumpkin Carving Take 1

I think we carved the pumpkins too early (10/12). Considering we had to throw them away for rotting, but Jason and the girls had a good time doing it. Aubrey had gone to the grocery store with me and picked out the pumpkins. The girls designed what they wanted them to look like on paper and Jason carved them. Laurie wanted a cyclops with fangs and Aubrey wanted lots of eyes with sharp pointy teeth. Aubrey thought it was funny that one of her pumpkin's teeth ended up chipped. I thought I would share!

Something to Smile About...

Aubrey decided to tell me she was ready to go. Little did I know that she was being silly. She put her shorts on her head and her shirt on her legs. I just had to take a picture and share a smile with everyone. (I made her put her clothes on the right way before I took her to where we were going.)

Saddened by "Improvements"

Ok, so I am deeply saddened by the destruction of some beautiful big trees due to 'improvements' for the community. Normally, these things don't bother me, but it got me thinking. Did we really need another empty shopping strip sitting where some big beautiful oaks once grew? Did we need to chop them down to get a bigger tax base for our little town? Did we have to foreclose on the owl's home that now hoots at night outside Laurie's window and frightens her? Did we have to tear apart the ground and cover it with cement for the sake of the city? I have just been saddened by the destruction outside the entry to my neighborhood. The one we chose due to the fact that there were the big trees there and not a lot of economic development-more peace and quiet. Sigh...

The good news is, when I stopped to take the picture the girls asked me why. I got to tell them I was saddened by the destruction of the trees. Aubrey decided that when she grows up she will make laws about the trees and not cutting them down unnecessarily. She said, "I will make it against the law to cut down big trees unless they are dead." Laurie said, "Me, too." Big words for a five year old, but maybe it just means there is hope for the future. Or...I'm just getting sentimental in my old age.

Aubrey got a good report!

I got the nicest note in Aubrey's backpack saying "Aubrey was a good worker during workboard stations today!" yesterday. I was very excited and gave Aubrey a high five. Considering, she got in trouble earlier for trying to climb trees on the playground and had to be the 'Principal's helper'. Guess that means she walked around with the principal to 'help' them instead of playing on the playground. She came home from school that day and said "Mom, I got to be the Principal's helper today!" Hmmm...it sounded suspicious and I probed further and then found out that she got into trouble. Oh well, I will take the good and the bad-as long as she grows out of it!
Laurie went last weekend with her Girl Scout troop to two different events. They went Friday to A&M's observatory and looked at the stars. They earned their Star Searcher patch. I think she liked it. Saturday they went to Camp TexLake and spent the night in cabins. They had a fashion show and watched a movie outdoors. The troop leader said that the girls need to practice sweeping and mopping at home. =-) Hmmm, I can handle making Laurie do that! She is really having a great year this year in Girl Scouts. Oh, by the way, anyone want to buy some Fall Product? Sale ends today! (I'm only kidding, but remember who to get the cookies from!)

Update on the girls

I think I need to start focusing my worries on the youngest. Tuesday morning we had to go have a chat with Aubrey's teacher. Aubrey had to confess her wrong doings. Apparently, she did not learn from her hair cut issues from last year. Aubrey decided to cut her bangs-give them a good layering. I was fixing Laurie's hair, and Aubrey wanted me to 'fix' her hair with the curling iron. Granted, nothing stays in her hair, but she likes me to fix the back and her bangs in the morning. So, I was 'curling' her bangs when I noticed that they were layered. Hmph...so I asked my darling what happened. She tried to tell me that someone cut them at school. When I asked who so we could tell her teacher, she confessed that she did it. (This one will break under pressure right now...maybe not later, but...) We went in and I had Aubrey tell her teacher that she had cut her own hair in class the day before. Aubrey also had her kitty taken away for 5 days. (I know...mean mommy!) Then that night when we were leaving Pappy's house, she pulled some of the berries off the bush. Now this is something Mimi fusses at her for every time there are berries on the bush...I'm guessing it is going to take her several times to learn not to do something. BUT there is hope-she tells Jason "No booty for you!" when he runs after her playfully smacking her bottom. Hopefully-this will stick until after she is married! =-)
Laurie went on a Girl Scout overnighter at the San Antonio Zoo. No...they didn't put her in the monkey cage or the lion's den. I was thoroughly disappointed with that, but she got to dissect an owl's pellet and found rodent parts-which she brought home. Great... Laurie was very excited to tell me all about her trip to the zoo and all the animals she got to see. She was able to be a part of the bird show, and a bird went on her arm and on her head. I can't wait to get the pictures from the trip! I will post them when I get them.
The girls are also very interested in boobs...there is no other way to say it. Saturday before she left, Laurie came in and said-"look mom, you can see my boobie!" I had to tell her it wasn't a boobie yet-just breast buds. Just because you are not longer completely flat, does not mean you have boobies! And don't be in a hurry to get them! So, Aubrey, of course, had to have her say about the whole thing...she grabbed my freshly laundered bra and tried to put it on. Then told me that I needed to practice so I could help her with one when she needed one. Geez...can't I stop this whole development thing? I know my doctor said no, but isn't there something out there that will stop this so they don't grow up too fast? I'm off to seek the answers on the Internet! I'll let you know if I find anything...desperately seeking-Mary Alice

New Hair Cut

I will never be able to do this to my hair again, so I thought I would share. I don't know what it is about my hairdress, but she can create a very cute hair style that I can never do again at home. Oh well... I even put make-up on!

Bad Mom and Best Birthday present!

Saturday was my birthday. It's nice to be 29...LOL!
Anyways, I was a bad mommy. I forgot until 10:45 that the girls were supposed to be at their gymnastic lessons at 10:30. OOPS! Of course, it was Laurie's class that we were late to and she was very upset. The alligator tears were there, but she saw how upset I was for messing up. So I think I was forgiven, but I still felt bad most of the morning. Jason said Laurie did get to play on the tree house playscape while Aubrey was in class and had a good time. Hopefully, next weekend I'll remember on time. So much for writing it on the calendar...helps to look at the calendar!
They wanted to buy/make me something for my birthday. So, they cleaned out from under their beds and got rid of the rabid dust bunnies. I swear Laurie had them trained to attack anyone but her. The last time I went under there looking for shoes...my hand almost got taken off! Can I tell you that it was the best birthday present EVER!! Their floors in their rooms are so clean-I just can't look in the closets. That's where they shoved everything. Their daddy helped...can you tell? But, I'm just so excited about my present! Some of the best presents are just not the expensive kind.

Shield Parade

At the girls' school they make their family shield and have a parade at the beginning of the year. I try to let the girls do it themselves. Hopefully, preventing the need to have mom 'help' with any other projects later on. Here's their shields:

They were due on Wednesday, and on Friday they had their shield parade. This is where the whole school shows off their shield by doing a parade outside of the school. Jason was able to go and take pictures of them for me. I think he was glad he got to go. =-)

Jason stated he knew now why he was never an elementary school teacher. He said he just didn't have the patience to deal with crying children who just need to be told to 'suck it up and deal with it-the world is not just about you'. Guess he never realized most of us all feel that way, we just have a more tactful way of getting our point across without offending anyone.

Sunday Lunch-with MY family

So, Sunday, September 7th we had lunch at my mom's house in Georgetown. Almost everyone that lives in town was there. Mom (aka Grammy), Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Tommy, Thomas and Janis (Faith was not there), Kim and Jessica-home from college (Mike doesn't love us, so he didn't come. ;-), Jason, the girls, and I. Mom made chicken enchiladas, Kim brought the salad, Carolyn brought beans, Thomas brought rice and I brought the dessert. The whole point of this blog...that dang dessert! GRRRRRR...
So, I absolutely LOVE this 'Sherbet Surprise' dessert that my mother-in-law makes and thought it was a nice finish to a Mexican food meal. You basically mix sherbet and vanilla ice cream and put it on a cracker crust. Then you top it with this yummy glaze. And that should be called 'Frustrating glaze'...granted, I would like to use another 'F' word to describe it, but I will be polite.
I ended up making it twice. The first time it ended up looking like egg drop lemon soup. I even tried to strain the glaze-but I didn't have a mess strainer. I used a small grater attachment from my Pampered Chef cheese grater to try and strain it. THAT DOESN'T work, put the mess strainer on my Christmas list. After straining it...it still looked like egg drop soup. I threw it away and went to bed. (Anyone sense my frustration?) So, after church...lots of prayers going on to make the topping turn out right during service, I attempted it again. It still looked a little like egg drop, but I called mom and she had the strainer. Off we went to Georgetown to the strainer, and it ended up turning out just fine...frustration and all. Jason said he couldn't tell a difference between mine and his mom's, so I might try making it again.
Here's the recipe of doom...(in case anyone wants to show me up and not make egg drop topping)

Sherbet Delight

Crust:
1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz Crackers ( one stack ) I use a little more because I love the crust!
4 Tablespoons sugar
1 stick butter, melted

Filling:
1 qt. lime sherbet, softened slightly
1 qt. vanilla ice cream, softened slightly

Topping:
6 Tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice ( I use almost twice this much - suit your own taste )
2 eggs well beaten

Mix crackers, sugar, butter. Press into 9x12 pan. Quickly mix sherbet and ice cream in a large bowl and blend well. Spoon onto top of crust and smooth. Put into freezer while you make topping.

Cook together topping ingredients over medium heat until thick, stirring CONSTANTLY. Cool mixture and spread evenly over top of ice cream/sherbet mixture. Freeze overnight. Cut into squares. May top each piece with a strawberry.

No where in the recipe from Diane did it say to not melt the butter first-because the pan would be hot and make egg strings OR start slowly and bring to a boil. So, be wary...and learn from my mistakes!

Lunch at Jason's parents

Can I just say how glad I am that Jim (Jason's dad) had a birthday? We had our pig-out on August 31st. We had pulled pork, ribs, speedies, corn casserole, coleslaw, green beans, potato casserole...oh my, for dinner and then we had blueberry pie and chocolate cake for dessert. Hmmmm, life is always good when Jim cooks.

Before we ate, Jan and I took the girls to San Gabriel park to feed the ducks. It took a little convincing that they would have a good time with mom at the park, but they did. Apparently, I need to get a loaf of bread for each child-those ducks were HUNGRY! There was one with a 'pom-pom on his head. The girls thought that was funny!

The girls and I also spent a little time in the hammock. It was good cuddling time!

Longhorn Game

Jason and I went to the first UT football game of the year. We took the shuttle from 51st and Guadalupe. Prices for the shuttle went up from last year-from $2 per person to $5 per person. Also, UT took over the 'organization' of the shuttle. I think they only had 4 buses total. The CapMetro people were calling more buses to come help out once we finally got on the bus. I personally think UT should have just let CapMetro handle it. It ran so much smoother last year. Game tickets were expensive, but we had great seats. We were in the 'new' part of the stadium. Section 16, row 35, seats 21-22. It was awesome to be there. I'm not much for football, I prefer 'futbol', but it was cool to actually be there.

I liked the half-time show, but Jason went to go get drinks during it. (They now have a Starbucks there and prices were the same, but water was still $3.50 for a bottle.) I guess I'm just a nerd, but I find the whole thing fascinating. Plus the baton girl had fire in her performance. You just can't beat that!

We won, of course-what did Jason call it "Sacrificial Lamb University" to warm the team up. I still thought it was a good game. I hope they play well all season-otherwise, there will be lots of cursing and grumbling in my neighborhood.

The best part of the evening was walking to TCBY afterwards and getting a cone. =-) I had lemon custard, sigh...it was yummy!

Back in the Game!

I am back on top...or at least closer in the rankings. This morning, not only did I get to walk Laurie to her classroom-I got a hug and kiss in front of her doorway! Yes! I even asked her as we walked into the door if she wanted me to walk her to her room, and she said...'ummm, yes-just like daddy did.' So, I feel a little better about that. Now, it could have something to do with the doughnuts the girls got for a Friday treat OR the fact I was having the girls bring a Sonic drink to their teachers for a 'thank goodness we made it through the first week' treat, but I will take whatever I can from her.
When I got to school to pick them up from the Y(at 6:00pm), Laurie was sweeping up the cafeteria. Hmmm, I wonder if I can get her to do that at home. I think the trick will be to get her the little broom and bucket that she was using there...She also said that our house is not as dirty as the school. LOL! I'm guessing I need to get her glasses. Mr. Seth said she had been bugging him that I was late and she needed to call me to find out if I had forgotten about them. She told me that I had scared her. (Considering earlier in the week I had been fussed at for getting there too early...I'm not worried.) I told her I would always come and get her unless we had arranged for someone else to pick them up.
Aubrey had another wonderful day! She got a mini-flashlight from the treasure box at school for being so good all week. I'm so proud of her and grateful that she has a wonderful teacher. I hope it continues! Aubrey continually wants to hold my hand-even if I am walking her next door to play with Brian. She asks, "Doesn't it make you happy when we hold hand?" and I reply, "Yes baby, more than you know!"
Off to put the darlings to bed!

Tomorrow is Friday!

I have to laugh at Jason's entry. I really am starting to feel sorry for my girls, but not so much when Laurie give me all this attitude. =-) Laurie and Aubrey seemed to have another great day at school. Aubrey earned a water bottle for being so good-or at least that is what she told me. I'm not sure if I should believe her or believe my gut that tells me she took it from some poor child...I'm trying really hard to believe that she earned it for being good! Aubrey was upset with me for picking her up 'so early' because it was her turn to go to the gym and play. I'm getting the feeling I will just never win with either of them.
Laurie was a little sweeter this afternoon, but I'm sure I will have a story to tell after I take the girls to school tomorrow. I'm really going to try and not let me feelings get hurt...this being a parent really stinks! I'm sure I'm just getting back tenfold what I gave my mother, but when does Jason get his payback?

Dads' POV

Rule #1 about daughters: Daddy rocks, Mommy is the evil bitch-queen. I don't make the rules, I just exploit them. As far as the boyfriend issue, what's this "try"to kill them? Walter and I have a mutual destruction pact, aimed at all the potential male suitors that are stupid, I mean brave enough, to attempt to date our daughters. Although I've been told that at some point my focus will change from trying to keep them from having sex, to trying to get them to start cranking out grandbabies. That'll be the day.

Oh no she didn't!!!!

So, Jason left his cell phone at home yesterday and I didn't find out until this morning...but Laurie held his hand while they walked in and let him give her a big hug and LOTS of kisses. Jason is gloating...I really don't like him right now! Sigh...at least when I was in the classroom my students loved me. WAH!!! OK, enough of the pity party...for now.
This morning Laurie and Aubrey were complaining that 'Dad said he wouldn't stop and get us doughnuts' - again. I was fixing Laurie's hair-apparently, that's all I'm good for since Jason doesn't know how to do that, and I told her "Hon, last night at the store I got some cash and tomorrow morning when I take you, we'll stop and get doughnuts." Figuring I would get a smile or an "Ok mom..." BUT NO! Laurie's response was "Why can't Dad do it?" GRRRR!!!! We have not even hit puberty, and this is what I'm getting! Well, I figure she will love me again when she starts trying to date and Jason tries to kill her date...then I'll be needed again. I hope!
At least I have Aubrey, she loves me and still needs me. Jason said, of course, well...we can always have another one, and you'll be needed and wanted. He's always got to throw that one in.
Another day, hopefully...not another drama!

Day 2-I'm no longer wanted...sniff, sniff!

So, today did not start off so well for mommy. I am no longer a 'cool' mom. Laurie would not walk with me up to school, hold my hand, or even talk to me while I was walking them in from the car. I kept teasing her from behind telling her 'Laurie doesn't love mommy anymore...wah!' and Aubrey chimed in 'Laurie-did you hear what she said-you don't love her anymore!' Laurie walked a good 6 to 10 feet in front of Aubrey and I. Sigh...I was not expecting this until at least 5th grade or middle school-NOT THIRD GRADE!!! Aubrey held my hand the whole way today, so at least one of them loves me! =-) After school, I got a big hug and lots of kisses once we got home. Oh well...at least she hasn't totally forgotten about me!

Laurie did say that she really likes her teacher. They are coming up with their rules and their class mascot. Laurie stated that it is between horses or snakes. I'm guessing the boys want the snakes. Laurie was proud that she won a mechanical pencil today at the afterschool program for coming up with a rule-'no jumping off the swings'. Maybe she will go into admin...

Aubrey said that she has gotten really good at math today. (Mommy is PROUD!) She stated that her teacher said they were the smartest class ever, and that she had a great day. I think Aubrey is really enjoying it so far. She is writing her name very well-and is coloring great. I've put the pictures in just to show off.