To Babe, From Sweetie

To Babe -




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From Sweetie

Jane Bond

Lil' sleeps with alot of stuff. Here's a list of things that I found in her bed last night when I kissed her goodnight.

- (1) my little pony
- (2) babies
- (1) naked barbie
- (1) little squishy pumpkin that she's had for 2
weeks
- (2) books
- (1) princess crown
- (1) Airforce One replica
- (1) blankie
- (1) lambie

Lately she's been packing little pocketbooks with all this stuff and carrying those around when we go out during the day. It takes 3 to carry all this junk. But I tell myself, she's a woman. She's her own woman already. She thinks ahead of what she might want or need. She packs it all. She knows where each thing is at all times. She does a good job keeping up with this crazy list of Lil' necessities as she sees them.

She'll be the lady with the bag full of tricks when she grows up. She'll have the best chapstick. The perfect flavor of gum. The antiseptic that the doctors recommend. The handy wipe that doesn't burn noses. The band-aid for the unforseen booboo. The flashlight for when the lights go out. She'll have the pen and the piece of paper. And she'll be able to hem a stitch if need be. That girl is gonna have it all and she's be able to handle any situation. Like a Lady James Bond; a Jane Bond.

Sure Do, Kiddo

I spoiled my kids today and I don't even care. They've had enough of wake-up, get in, get out, eat, no, don't eat, go to sleep, blahby, blah, blah. I decided to give them a day off from all that and it was fun.

You want to wear that princess outfit all day? Sure thing, kiddo. You look great. After we picked up Big, we went to the donut store. You want munchkins? You want Sprite? Sure thing, kiddo. Large or small? Next we went to Target. They went up and down the toy aisles making up Christmas lists or bir-day lists as Lil' called it. You want that who's ma bobby? Sure thing, kiddo, put it on your Christmas list. Then we went to the fire place/japanese steakhouse. It's their favorite. You want a shirley-temple? Sure thing, kiddo, here's two cherries.

I let them stay up late. I let them eat alot of candy corn. I usually hold the reigns real, real tight. But I let them go a little today and it felt real, real good. My kids had a good day today and that is all I need. You love me Mama? Sure do, kiddo.

Sausage Balls and Whiskey

This past weekend, Daddy and I went camping. It was my first time. It was a bad weekend to go but we had a blast. Friday night it rained. It really, really rained. But the rain sounded so good on the tent it lulled me right to sleep. And then Saturday it got cold. Freezing cold with a 20mph wind blowing. I didn't sleep so well that night.

Camping is interesting because I always thought it was an easy thing to do. Get back to nature. Be simple. Not so much. You need alot of stuff in order to be comfortable. Our car was packed of everything you would need for 2 nights in the woods. I won't bore you with the list but I'll put it this way, I rode in the car with my feet propped up on a bundle of wood for 3 1/2 hours because there was no more room for it in my big SUV. Funny thing is we had all this stuff but we hardly used any of it.

I think my Mom was more worried about me camping than anyone. On Friday, we stopped by and she had made sausage balls. Oh good lawdy sausage balls. Smells like Christmas, feels like a warm blanket. Even my veggie cousin has a hard time staying veg around them. Here you go:

4 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3 cups Bisquick baking mix
1 1-pound package ground sausage
1/8 tablespoon Garlic Salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in a large glass bowl. Mix well with your fingers. The mixture will be very crumbly. Form into 1 inch balls, squeezing the mixture so it holds together, then rolling it between the palms of your hands to form balls. Place the balls on the baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.

On Sunday, she knew we had been through some weather. So she had some soup ready for us. 2 choices: Potato and Beefy Vegetable. Both delicious.

Here's what I learned this weekend. When you camp, all that is really necessary are sausage balls and whiskey. Both will warm your tummy and if you have enough, you won't know if you're cold or not.

Slow Down Life. You're Moving Too Fast.

I usually love well-visits at my doctor's office. For a split second, I can look at my kids and see them as little babies again. Still growing and changing and having "new firsts". I forget about "new firsts" too much. I remember when Big was little and I told someone that I tried to do something new with him everyday that he'd never done before and it was easy because it was all new to him. Things are still new to him and even more for Lil' but I've gotten too busy to show them or share it with them. I'm going to work on that.

Anyways, the doctor confirmed what I've always known. My kids are both super long and super skinny for their ages. Big is off the charts for his height but is in the 50th percentile for weight. Our doctor says he'll most likely be 6'2 or 6'3. Lil' is in the 97th percentile for height and is expected to be around 5'7 or 5'8. She's also a skinny minny and in the 50th percentile.

They both told the doctor that they don't like vegetables and try not to drink their milk. Thanks for the "mom of the year" vote guys. Appreciate that. She told them to wear helmets when they ride their bikes and to take vitamins.

Today at the doctor it seemed like I didn't know them. When I stopped to look at my little babies, I could hardly recognize them. They don't resemble the tiny little newborns laying on the crinkly paper anymore. They move. They jump. They are loud. The questions from the doctor aren't about pooping and bottles anymore. They are about shapes and sentences and bike helmets. Slow down life. You're moving too fast.

Wonderful Little Hands

Touch - Touch. Touch-Touch-Touch. Touch - Touch. I'm tired of worrying about swine flu. Regular flu. Stomach bugs. Sore throats. High fevers. Sneezes and coughs. Antibacterial goopy gop. It's only October. Jeez.

Here are some pictures of the kids hands which are one of the things I'll miss when they older. Their hands will never look like this again. Dirty fingernails. Faded stamps from school. Germ-coated, stained, smudgy wonderful little hands.

FOOOOF

Checking out at Wal-Mart the other day:

"Mama, you have a whooo-whooo, wite?"
"Yes, Lil', that's right."
"I have a whooo-whooo too wite?"
"Right, Lil', you sure do."
"Woookie has a weeee-neeee and Daddy has a weeee-neeee."
"Uh-huh, you want some gum? How about a candy bar? A doll?"

Getting closer to the check-out lady now. Please don't. Please don't. Please don't.

"Oh, hi sweetie, you sure are cute."
"You have a whooo-whooo?"
"What's that?"
"She said she has a boo boo."
"Oh, I'm sorry darlin'. Y'all have a good day."

FOOOOF.

Please Try A Bite

Oh, I feel like I'm falling for fall.... Anybody else know that tune from Noggin? Jeez Louise, can't get it out of my head. Another famously fabulous recipe coming at you. I usually substitute plain ole' chicken breasts (3) instead of using the fancy chicken.

Paula's Chicken Soup

Please try a bite...

School Days, School Days

School Days, School Days. That's the only song I could hear in my head when I walked back on campus Monday. Except this time, there's no classes. It's work. I started a part-time job this week working for the CofC Basketball program. It is still cracking me up that number 1, I'm working again but number 2, it's for the College that I hold so dear.

Walking to work, I remember the places where I lived, where I went to parties, where I went to class and it becomes really hard to believe that I first stepped foot on this campus 15 years ago. Ouch. It still looks the same for the most part. The names of the buildings have changed though which seriously dates me.

It's just so funny to be back here but this time as an employee. But good for me, that the College that educated me would actually hire me back. That's a feather in my cap. Anyways, here are some pictures taken from my cell that just raise a little giggle in my throat everytime I see them. Especially the cougar card one. I've got to find my old one from when I was a student. I'd love to see that comparison.





School Days, School Days.