Let it snow . . . or something like that!

There's no chance of snow in our balmy seventy-something degree forecast. And Ben woke up with a crummy head cold. Silly string to the rescue!

I think I can!

If she could, she'd tell me that clearly I've forgotten just how tricky it can be to get those dratty Puffs in your mouth!

Beethoven & Mozart!

Riding in Alligators

For that title to make any sense at all you need to know that Ben calls elevators "alligators". And yesterday, much to Ben's delight, we rode in one. With a very rude woman. Little did she know that she was in for a treat . . . Or some torture, courtesy of Ben.

I could tell from the way she pulled into her parking spot that she was in a hurry. And she jumped out of her car and headed for the elevator without so much as a glance in our direction. I strapped Cameron into the Baby Bjorn, then loaded Ben into the stroller (it was necessary for both kids to be strapped down, as we were headed to the new ultra-hip Hubbell & Hudson Market and Bistro). Rude Woman reached the elevator before we did, and was compulsively pushing the down button. Ben was jabbering about the "alligator", and Cameron was happily babbling away as we all waited. Finally, the elevator arrived and Rude Woman jumped in and started pushing the button to close the door, yes, compulsively. Since the doors were still open, I smiled and said "looks like there's room for three more", and we joined her.

She refused to make eye contact. It got pretty quiet. Ben stared at her for a bit and then said, loudly, "Hey, Mister." Uh-huh, this was clearly a woman. Again, from my little darling, "HEY MISTER!!" . . . I was doing everything to keep from laughing out loud. She looked at him. "Say hi to my Mommy", he demanded. Rude Woman refused. I said to Ben, "Honey, she could say hi to us, but I don't think she's going to."

She never made eye contact again. Neither did I, for fear of laughing. But as she pushed in front of me to make her way off the elevator, Ben tried one more time . . . "Bye! BYE! BYE-BYE-BYE!!!" She finally turned around and said with a smirk, "Good bye." I think she meant it!

To the Scrooge in all of our lives, "May you find yourself smiling as you ride in alligators with two-year olds!" Merry Christmas!

Santa, Baby!

This morning we visited Old St. Nick! Benjamin told Santa he wanted a space shuttle and a new Frankie. "Frankie" is what Ben calls Frank, the scary combine from the movie Cars. Ben will also tell anyone who will listen that he needs a new Frankie because his got poo-poo on it and Mommy threw it away. I won't go into detail, but I will tell you that poor Frankie got thrown out after an unfortunate incident involving a bathtub and a potty-training-two-year-old who refused to sit on the toilet. Back to Santa . . . Miss Cameron sat happily on Santa's lap and played with his beard . . . Which was a good thing, because she was fast-approaching meltdown stage after waiting in line for an hour to meet Santa!

Lights! Camera! Action!

Lights (as in Christmas tree)!

Camera (as in mine)!

Action (as in full-of-energy-Ben)!

Jump! Jump! Jump!

Isn't the Jumperoo the greatest invention? Cameron sure thinks so! And I think Michele is an angel for lending us hers . . . Thank you so very, very much! Something tells me that Cameron will log a lot of hours in this brilliant little toy. She's days from crawling, so I'll be doubly-glad to have another spot to put her, no, make that contain her!

Practice makes perfect

Haven't yet captured the perfect Christmas card pictures . . . But wanted to post these shots just the same. Love these little angels.

In the eye of the beholder . . .

So, last night Greg took Benjamin on his weekly grocery run. Yes, my stud-muffin hubby does the grocery shopping to help me out. When they got to the check-out line Ben about fell out of the shopping cart trying to get to the picture of Mommy . . .

For those of you who didn't just fall out of your computer chairs laughing hysterically . . . My sweet boy thinks I'm beautiful. Not just pretty, but look-out-world-Jessica-Simpson gorgeous. And that makes me happy. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Pumpkin Pie Perfection

This really is PERFECTION. My next door neighbor Sharon made it for us, and my mouth is watering as I type . . .

Pumpkin Pie Perfection

1 29 oz. can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 13 oz. can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 package yellow cake mix
1 cup butter or margarine (melted)
1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 (if using glass dish 325 degrees). Beat together first seven ingredients and pour into a 9" x 13" pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over top. Pour melted butter over cake mix and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake 1 hour.

Seven Prayers A Day

I can't take credit for this splendid idea. I am copying a sweet mom that I'll probably never have the privilege to meet. You can check out Angie's amazing Blog at http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/. I hope you're as inspired as I am!

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring Cameron and Ben word of your unfailing love, for they have put their trust in You. Show them the way they should go, for to you they lift up their souls." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen children, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help them bear with others and forgive whatever grievances they have against others. Help them forgive as the Lord forgave them. And over all these virtues, help them put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach Cameron and Ben the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach them that they can do everything through him who gives them strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "Cameron and Ben, do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give Cameron and Ben clean hands and pure hearts, and let them not lift their souls to an idol or swear by what is false. Let them receive blessings from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Let them be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that Benjamin and Cameron will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that they may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which they shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the word of life-in order that they may boast on the day of Christ that they did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

Risky Business

Something about this wild and woolly boy reminded me of Risky Business . . . Maybe it's the sunglasses, maybe it's his dance moves, or maybe it's potty-training and all the tighty-whities. Nothing makes him happier than waking up from a nap and sitting at the kitchen table with a chocolate straw. Nothing makes me happier than just watching, memorizing, my Benjamin.

Trick or Treat!

Current Stats

The Diva had a check-up this morning. Yes, she boo-hooed when she got her shots, but otherwise had a great appointment. Cameron weighed in at 14 pounds 9 ounces, and measured 25-1/2 inches long. She's a tiny girl, especially when compared to Ben!

She LOVES . . . applesauce, evening walks, bubble baths and snuggling.

She HATES . . . peas, prunes, taking naps, being alone.

Nicknames include The Diva, Moonie-Girl, Missy, and Baby (Ben's favorite).

She is trying to sit up, loves to blow bubbles, talks (squeals) constantly, and is ooching backwards and rolling over to try to get to (Ben's) toys.

She is a busy joy.

Baby Dedication

This weekend we had the privilege of dedicating Cameron at our church, Woods Edge. It is incredible to stand up there on that stage and have the congregation pray for you, support you, as you take on parenthood.

Benjamin thought the bright lights were a little intimidating, but loved snuggling in his Daddy's lap during the service (and he acted like the perfect gent, go Ben!). Cameron stole the show and squealed and cooed the entire time, in true diva-fashion. And speaking of fashion, she wore the same christening gown that I wore when I was six months old.

We selected a Bible verse for Miss Cameron, and I hope and pray that she writes it on her heart.

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

Tagged!

I got tagged by Miss Amy to post the sixth picture from my sixth photo file. And lucky me, it's one of my favorite pictures . . . Baby Benjamin at seven days old, can't believe how tiny he was.

Love bugs

Hand-me-downs!

Sweet Jennifer, thank you so much for the hand-me-down Step & Play Piano. Doesn't it remind you of the piano scene from the movie "Big"? Ain't nothing like a toy that can pacify a tired baby, and the silver lining . . . it only takes three batteries! We promise to love it fiercely, and then pass it on. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Girl's Day In

Amy and Sarah came over the other morning for a Girl's Day In. Sure was fun. The hi-light was watching Sarah practice her pirouettes in her Tinkerbell costume. I made the mistake of calling her Sarah, and was gently reminded that she was Tinkerbell, not Sarah, and her mother was now Belle. What a doll! Amy took a great picture of me and Cameron, for which I'm so thankful, as I have maybe two pictures of us together! Love you, Friend!

Cameron Elizabeth

The diva is nearly six months old! And guess what folks, her night-time habits rival that of the fussiest newborn. But oh my stars, we love this child. Ben is such a fan of his baby sister, and has taken great pride in (literally) teaching her all about swings, exersaucers and most of the baby toys that we've recently hauled out of our attic. She is in no way scheduled, although I'm certain she would benefit from a little routine. Life is chaos here, and it's wonderful. It really is wonderful.

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