It's Official

We' have officially had a "better" winter than Utah. I swear we've had more snow and more cold days than they have. Of course, I may be exaggerating slightly, but I'm ready for spring to be here. I am ready for consistent warm weather, less ice and no more threats of cancelled school.

I am ready to drive to church without ice forming on my windshield while I'm driving.

I am ready for my hands and nose to thaw.

I am ready to stop sleeping with 2 heavy blankets, socks and the warmest pj's I can find.

I am ready to stop wearing 3-4 layers every day.

I am ready to run errands without having to buckle in 2 children while shoving big, puffy coats into car seats that don't want to accept the extra puff.

I am ready to start crocheting things for summer, instead of hats because we need them.

But then, really, any time it's under 70° I start eating soup, drinking hot cocoa and wearing coats, so I can't really complain too much! Hopefully I can thaw out today...

Some Days...

Some days I realize we have way too many toys, and very unmotivated children...

When you see the toys falling out of the toy room into the hall, and can't shut the door because there are too many toys in the way...

And you can't open the door all the way, but when you push your way in this is what you see...

You start thinking long and hard about this... (thanks Pinterest).

They're 4!! Almost...

Cael and Landry turn 4 tomorrow. I'm not sure where the last 4 years have gone, but I'm pretty sure I was absent for most of it, because it flew by and I don't remember much of it. Thank goodness for a blog, right?

In their life they've moved a measly two times, but they've driven the roads between Utah and Texas at least 15 times.

They've known two pet dogs, and buried one. They've known 18 pet chickens, and luckily missed out on the burial of 15.

They're the two kids I had hoped would grow up not knowing what snow was, and they build a mean snowman when it dumps on us.

They're as different as night and day, they're best friends and worst enemies.

They can throw amazing tantrums, when they want to. They give the best snuggles I've ever had.

They pick a pink cake and a blue cake, consistently, every year. They've never had a beautiful cake, in fact each on deserves it's on post on Cake Wrecks (yes, including this years...).

They finally caught up to the growth charts while they were 3. For starting out so small, they've certainly caught up. Even though Landry started out a pound lighter than Cael, she's consistently 1 inch taller and 3-4 pounds heavier. Always.

People don't assume they're twins, I am constantly asked which one is older. When people do ask if they're twins, more than half the time that question is followed up with, "Are they identical?" I've stopped answering that one.

Their favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, pizza, yogurt, cereal and any breakfast foods. They are by far my pickiest eaters. Cael would love to live on only fruit snacks, bananas peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and yogurt. He will not eat protein, such as eggs, meat, beans, etc. unless it is so disguised that he can't tell it's in there. He ends pretty much every dinner with his one bite of meat, and chews on it so long without swallowing that he's undoubtedly received any nutrients he can out of it, simply because he doesn't want to swallow the meat.  Landry will eat most things, but if someone at the table complains about the broccoli, the eggs, or the meat, she also will have the same complaint.

Cael is extremely strong and athletic. He loves to be physically active. He's extremely coordinated, he takes after Shane. Landry often has issues walking and talking at the same time. She takes after me.

Landry enjoys playing barbies and coloring. She loves to play with Savannah. She enjoys teaching herself the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors and anything else she can glean from the world around her (which is probably what she's doing when she's walking...). She's taught herself 4 songs on the piano, with limited help from anyone else. Cael will color when he feels obliged. He will play on the piano if someone else is. He knows his numbers and letters too, just because he wants to keep up with Landry, but it's not that big of a deal to him.

They hum. All. Of. The. Time. Particularly Landry who hasn't yet come off the Christmas music kick.

Landry loves to pet the dog. She literally hangs on her when they're out playing. Cael barely tolerates her, and if she licks him he immediately asks to be washed off, because there are "dog germs!" on him. Neither of them like to be dirty.

They love to play dress-ups. Christmastime brought Cael more boy dress-ups. He still occasionally puts on a fairy costume. To be fair, it's what he was used to. Also, they're usually not the pink ones.  Landry never puts on the boy costumes.

They crack each other up. A lot. Usually during nap time or mealtime. They also fight a lot. When they're not fighting you can usually find them doing something they shouldn't be doing...together...quietly. Like hacking playing on the computer. When you find them, squished together on the computer chair, playing purble place, they always say the same thing, "We're just having a good time"...

I love them both so much. They're always going to be my "babies" even though they're four. I'm so grateful for them, and the joy they (and their siblings) bring to our lives. Happy birthday Cael and Landry!

Summing Up - In Pictures

Christmas came with loads of presents, and family, and fun. Grandma Kinghorn came and stayed with us for a couple of weeks, which we loved. She also got roped into staying a bit longer and accompanied Brooke in a string duet in church. We love having her here, even if she ends up with a cold every time she comes. She brought the cold, Christmas weather with her this year, for which the kids were grateful...

We passed around a little cold, which may explain why the kids decided it would be good to include a Vitamin C with the cookies to Santa this year.

The reindeer checked on the kids this year, as evidenced by their "piles of poop". The kids were as grossed out as ever, but swear they actually heard the reindeer in their room checking on them.

The reindeer didn't love the apples as much as the carrots, but most of them stayed outside.

We've now had 3, yes, count that T-H-R-E-E big snowstorms this year. We had one of the few White Christmases in the Nation this year, and one of the few Midland has ever had. We had over 5 inches for Christmas, and we got another 10 inches this week. (our house only got 4 inches). Meanwhile, our friends and family in Utah had a brown Christmas. That's ok, we get the moisture we need, and it melts fast. Best of both worlds.

Savannah asked for Barbies and a DS. She got Barbies and a lot of crochet and loom stuff.

Landry wanted Princess stuff. She got it and a lot of art stuff.

Cael was still terrified of Santa, but told us he wanted Robots, Cars and Spiderman stuff. Wishes granted, he got all that and more.

Yes, he's a little embarrassed by this photo, but blackmail must start somewhere. He, of course, asked for books. And more books. He got them. 

We attended Lincoln's first cello concert. Three months work and I was pretty impressed by the orchestra. However, three months' work, 8-10 songs and the concert literally lasted less than 10 minutes...I may get around to posting the videos.  Maybe.

I am proud of him, he's doing really well on the cello and he likes it.  Trevor and Sandee, Grandma and Grandpa Snow all came to watch.

Awards ceremonies for Savannah and her straight A's and perfect attendance...

and Lincoln and his perfect attendance. (Seriously, my kids need to get out in the sun more, they're so pale at school!)

I held my Winter Piano recital. We had a great audience and most of the kids did pretty well. Lincoln and Savannah both participated and I am so proud of their progress. I may get around to posting these videos too.

I got my craft on over the winter break. Well, I got my yarn on. I made this wreath for my Mom for Christmas...

And this headband/earwarmer for Savannah (yes, I know it's on Landry, she was just trying it on)

And this hat for Landry, and another hat for Savannah. Clearly my crocheting skills need a little work, but since I just taught myself to do it, and I'm improving every time I have to brag. I've moved from Yarmulkes to skull caps, eventually I'll make a normal sized hat, but I don't know how to read patterns so I'm just eyeing it...

We experienced seeing midnight for the first time, right before switching to 9 a.m. church. Somehow it's always more fun the night before.

We got a trampoline. Somehow it's just not as fun with the snow on it.

We saw old friends at a baptism.

And played in snow,

 and more snow,

and more snow.

The End. (for now)

Latest Photo Shoot - My Yearly Favorite!

I'm "That Person"

You know "that mom" at Walmart, the one whose kids are running around like banshees, whose basket is overflowing with food, who looks like she's one twitch away from losing it completely...

that was me yesterday.

You know "that mom" who sends raunchy emails to elementary school principals when errors are made and their darling little overachieving first grader doesn't receive the Principal's Award (honor roll)...who in said email gives a scathing review of the world's worst fine arts teacher who makes kids cry when they cough and some kids would rather wet their pants than ask to use the restroom, who openly dismisses parents and students if he's busy with something else, and loudly yells at classes full of kids (or individuals in the large class) because they're not perfect, and is an open supporter of OU...

that was me today.

But in my defense, I did not copy said teacher in said email, even though I twice put his name in there, I also twice deleted it. And the look from Savannah when she didn't receive the Principal's Award would break anyone's heart, because her lowest grade all year was a 95. She's an over-achiever who was truly heart-broken because of what we can only hope was an oversight.

I'm also "that mom" who was sooooo pleasantly surprised when her husband came home unexpectedly early last night, because she'd been missing him all week. "That mom" who baked 18 dozen cookies for family, friends and neighbors for Christmas treats. "That mom" who made 45 classroom goodie bags for Christmas parties at school today. "That mom" who takes annoying numbers of pictures at both awards ceremonies and both class parties. "That mom" who is just as excited (or more) than her kids that they'll be out of school until January 3rd.

So I'm not all bad.

Just Another Day In Texas

Yes, I am totally just making myself blog lately. Though we've been insanely busy, it's nothing that is really all that interesting to you, my readers. Do you really want to know about all the Christmas shopping, and errand running, house rearranging, floor mopping, phone call making, child consoling, craft trying, house cleaning, children chauffering, recipe cooking, etc. that we've been bogged down with?

I didn't think so.

Hence, this post. It's what you get. Be happy and know we love you, even if we are a little busy.

Thanksgiving break gave us another opportunity to hit the gun range, this time with Lincoln and Chris. Yes, that Chris. My ex and my husband together with loaded guns.

It's a good thing we all get along or that might be weird, right?

Lincoln shooting a shot gun. We both fired shot guns for the first time. I'll stick with rifles and pistols...so will Lincoln.

We love that on this range there are a couple of bays that allow you to take stuff and shoot at it. We had quite the set up of soda bottles, boxes and other junk that was laying around. It almost makes me want to go dumpster diving before going, just to have more fun stuff to shoot. 

Here is the proof that we all get along. Two men, two loaded guns, and no injuries...it was great.

This is just proof that I was there, with my gun, and I'm not totally a bad shot.

Rifle time. Lincoln's favorite. I think he'd be quite happy just unloading hundreds of rounds at the iron cut-outs on this range. And he's pretty much a better shot with a rifle than me. 

Winter Wonderland

Today

Today I'm thankful for a week with my kids at home all day long, a pantry big enough to hold the hundreds of items I shoved in it this morning, an extra fridge to store the pies I get to make this week, and a husband who is the most amazing man in the world.

Yesterday I was thankful for hot cocoa. That was pretty much it...

Obviously I'm handling today much better than yesterday.

Man, They Grow Up Fast

K, now that I posted pictures, compare to where we were just a short 3 years ago...

Why do they have to grow up so fast?