Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Zachary, our party planner, decided Daddy's birthday should be at Chuck E. Cheese this year. We invited lots of friends to join us, and Chuck E. was there to help celebrate too!
Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Zachary and Sophie January 2010

Sorry this is late!

Haircuts

For the past few days, Zachary has been practically begging for a haircut.  Surprising, coming from a kid that had to be physically restrained during the haircutting process until age 3.  So I finally agreed that we could get one.  As always, I was amazed at how much hair they cut off, and how much remains on his head.

During the haircut, I started talking with another mom about boy haircuts. 

Other Mom: He sure is doing great.
Me: Yep - started on his third birthday.
OM: My little boy doesn't like them at all.
Me: Oh yeah, I used to have to hold him in a giant bear hug during the haircut.
OM: Wow.
Me: And when I was pregnant with her, his dad had to take him.
OM: My dad took him once and has refused to ever take him again.  It's so embarassing.
Me: Yes. One time my husband's friend was in here with his 2 boys while Zachary was throwing a fit.  I was mortified.  Have you tried bribery?  That sometimes works...
OM: I've already promised Chuck E. Cheese after this ordeal.
Me: Other moms used to always tell me that it will get better.  I didn't believe them, and seriously thought he would be screaming about haircuts till he went to college.  But one day it did get better.  It will happen.
OM: Thanks.  I hope so.

And as we were leaving, her little boy was in the early stages of a haircut fit, and her face was turning redder and redder.

So to all you moms who think that haircuts will always be miserable, please know this too shall pass.  And if bribery doesn't work for your child, you could always give yourself a little treat for surviving the harrowing ordeal.

:)

C is for Cowboy

Today was Cowboy Dress Up day at Zachary's school.  Thanks to the Grandmas for the gear...

He's a Wanted Man! aka 'Mad Face'

My Hero!

Rock Star Cowboy

After dinner at Grandma and Grandpa M's on Sunday, Zachary decided to serenade us with some silly songs.  Doesn't he look great as a cowboy?  I think he's ready to tour...

Fort Worth Stock Show

Aunt Mandy had the great idea of taking the kids to the stock show parade that she and I both marched in as high school students.  We found a great spot on Main Street (front end of the parade) and watched for about an hour till the kids got antsy.  Then we went for a great lunch at Billy Miner's, where Zachary agreed it was the best hot dog ever, and finally enjoyed some play time at Auntie's!

Auntie Mandy and Sophie

The Kids watching all the horses

Stop saying Poop so Loud - But Daddy it's STINKY!

Best Hot Dog Ever!

Sophie and Daisy Kissing

Again - Sophie decided that closed mouth is the way to go!

Full Moon

I guess I forgot to change Sophie's diaper after her nap, and then forgot again after dinner.  Finally she just got tired of it being wet and decided to do something about it herself...

December 2009 Photos

A Tale of 12 Cookies

Sophie really enjoyed Christmas Eve!  Between the food, snow and cookies she was one happy kid!

White Christmas!

On the way home from our 'date' on Christmas Eve Eve, Katey and I heard a weather report that it was supposed to snow.  Haha, I said.  Never going to happen.  Maybe a few flakes, but it won't stick.

And then God laughed at me.

Folks, it snowed enough to cancel Christmas Eve service at several churches, and for us to make a snowman. It started around 9:30 AM and lasted almost 12 hours.  Woo Hoo!  I'm sure it will never happen again, so we took lots of pictures to show the kids.

Wow - it really looks like Christmas!

Shoveling Snow - the job of every male child!

Poor Sophie - it was SOO cold!

Zachary and the Snowman!

Sophie and the Snowman

Grandma M and Michael

Even the Horned Frog got snow!

Sad Saturday

Football Saturday is supposed to be a LOT of fun!  This Saturday was set up to be a big day for TCU.  We weren't playing, but all the teams around us were, and BCS implications were in the air!

Game 1 - Cincy vs. Pitt - heartbreaker of a game, in the snow in Pittsburgh. It all came down to missed PAT and field goals.  Cincy barely won, but I still hoped that the rest of the day would turn out better.
Game 2 - Florida vs. Alabama - I'm actually OK with this upset.
Game 3 - Nebraska vs. Texas - I wore red all day to show my support of Nebraska.  UT did not play well (Mack Brown - please review the tape - apparently we were watching two different games), and yet they managed to win at the very last second.

And so, TCU's hopes for the National Championship have been dashed.  It will be little consolation when UT gets creamed by Alabama.  TCU will play Boise State (again) in an effort to not embarrass a BCS Conference Team.  Check out the Star-Telegram for some fairly insightful editorials regarding the TCU bowl situation.  And I will watch from the comfort of my home, cheering on the Mighty Mighty Horned Frogs to victory, AGAIN!

TCU Tree Lighting

Zachary and I went to the tree lighting again this year, and invited our dear friends, Ms. Kendra and Gwen, to join us.  We had a wonderful time!

Reindeer brought in for the kids to see

Us - trying to stay warm!

The Happy Kiddos

Me and My Buddy!

The Kids and Mr. and Mrs. Claus - in their special TCU attire

Let it Snow, Part I

We woke up this morning to SNOW!!!  Thanks to Daddy for calling so Zachary and I could play in it for a few minutes!  It kept snowing till around 9, so Sophie got to see it too.  She thought the snow was bubbles, but once she figured it out, she loved it!

November 2009

TCU vs New Mexico

24 hours after arriving home from Philly, we were on our way to the last home TCU game of the season.  It was a beautiful day, we were able to see several friends, and enjoyed the parachuter at halftime.

Philly Trip

Note to readers: Philadelphia will be referred to as Philly here on out after several pronounciation attempts by Zachary resulted in "Philadorthea".  We officially give up, and rename the place, "Philly".

After some thought, we decided to join the Casey side of the family in Philly for Thanksgiving.  The Mathis family planned to drive up from Atlanta, and we agreed it was time for Sophie's first plane ride.

After a near heart attack inducing delay announcement, and subsequent cancellation of said delay (unfortunately after I spent a small fortune in ice cream to keep us entertained), we boarded the plane to Phily and arrived with little excitement. 

We got to the Cliggett's house and got settled in, and had a great time catching up with the family.  The Agstens and Mathises came over and all the kids started playing right away! 

On Wednesday, the men folk had a morning tee time and enjoyed a rainy day of golf while the ladies did some Thanksgiving prep - pie baking, etc.  We had a great time at the Agstens for dinner that night!

Thanksgiving day started innocently enough, till the grass caught on fire.  No fire pit for us. :( 
It was wonderful to all be together, laughing, talking, gambling, etc.

Friday we packed up for our big trip home, and everyone suprised me with an early birthday card.  I cried, of course.

We made it back, safe and sound, and our flight arrived 1 hour early.  The kids were beat, and glad to be back home, but I hope that at least Zachary has memories of this trip for a long time.

Steve and Janice on Thanksgiving Day

Zachary and Charlie Munn - Check out the matching eyebrows!

Sophie and Auntie Gina

Renee, Casey, Cynthia, and Maryann

Kristen and Kaitlyn

All the cousins - Kristen, Casey, Mike, Will, Eric, Sean, Renee, Megan, Kaitlyn, TJ, Savannah, Caroline, Charlie, Alana, Kylie, Charlie, Lexie, Zachary and Sophie

Should have taken a pic of the grownups too, but they were: MaryAnn, Billy, Wendy, Cynthia, Scooter, Janice, Steve, Gina, Tom, Steven, Becky, Ashton

I feel like I'm forgetting someone, so whomever that is, I am sorry!!

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope we can do it again!

Happy Birthday, Grandma M!

Grandma isn't going to be here for her birthday, so we celebrated by having dinner and dessert tonight!

From November 2009

From November 2009

15 Month Well Check

Sophie had her 15 month well check today.  This makes 3 doctor visits in 16 days.  And we wonder where the runny nose came from... :)

Anywho, she's doing great. 

Weight: 25.5 lbs - 85%
Height: 32 1/8 " - 92%
Head Circumference: 18.25" - 64%

Only one shot today, and she recovered quickly from that.  Thank goodness we like the nurses and Dr. Young so much!

We're Back

Today we darkened the doorstep of Young Kids Pediatrics once again.  Sophie had her stitches successfully removed with only a small bit of crying, and has been vaccinated against swine flu.  The ER doc did a great job with the stitches and the healing is going well.  I've been told the scar will grow back into her hairline. Who knew?

See you again next week - same time, same place!

Stitches and Swine

Today we headed to Dr. Young's office to see about getting Sophie's stitches removed and to de-swine both the kids.  Stitches weren't ready yet, so we'll be back Monday for that and Sophie's swine flu shot.  Zachary got to have the Swine Flu Mist, which was very good news because I was about to have a red alert situation on my hands if he had to get another shot.  Whew!