Friday Play Day

Let me just start by saying, I'm tired. Today was a great day - but I am literally played out. We played from sun-up to sun-down (with work crammed in between during nap time).

Started with Crawford wanting to use the scissors he got from Santa. So - we decided to make a monster with "scary" hair.
Honestly, out of all of the gifts he got from Santa - the $4 scissors are his favorite!
Conlee's favorite part was stuffing the monster.
The finished project. I love it because Conlee did all of the green and blue scribbles and Crawford cut every scrap of his hair!

After nap, it was time to play restaurant. We went all out and this literally lasted for 2 1/2 hours.
Conlee even got into the act! Crawford would pretend wash his hands in the sink after he cooked something. I looked up and Conlee was washing her hands. Adorable.
I added the candle for a "romantic" touch. Wish I had a picture of me. I was the "waitress" with my towel on my arm, a pad and pen. I really had fun with them.

J-J and Sue-Sue dropped by before dinner to bring popcorn. We made Crawford finish his dinner before he could have his treat. When we came back from putting Conlee to bed - this is what we found...
It's a Sports Illustrated he's reading. Priceless.

Breakfast Together

This morning before school I just had to take a quick pic of what our breakfast time looks like these days. Yes, Crawford scooped his cereal out of his bowl and put it on Conlee's tray. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "Sharing with Conlee." Good thing I gave her some oatmeal and yogurt before this. Don't think Cinnamon Toast Crunch is what a 14 month should be eating -but man was she happy Crawford shared!

Birds

So my craft project may have been fun, but we may have put up one too many. The backyard looks like a scene from "The Birds." Can you see the one on the feeder below?After lunch (yes after they had eaten) while I was cleaning up the dishes, Con and Crawford broke into the pantry and decided to act like birds. They got into the hotdog buns of all things and literally ate an entire one. How strange?!?!

Moving on Up

Today was a big day for the kids at school. Crawford moved to the 3's room and Conlee went from the baby room to the toddler room. I am completely "fine" with it and know both kids will do great. But, it did kind of make me sad that I no longer have "babies" - they are getting so big.
The "little bit" of sadness is completely outweighed by the amount of fun we are now having. No more "liquid gold (expensive)" formula, no more bottles and stopping every 3 hours to give a bottle, we all eat the same thing, they are on the same nap schedule, and much more. I'm telling you - I am a fan of these days way more than the every 3 hour nursing cycle :) Now, if I can just get Conlee out of diapers - we'll be set!

Conlee Sings

Crawford's first song was "Twinkle, Twinkle." Conlee's first song...the theme song from Bob the Builder. You gotta love this video clip. The melt down because he takes her juice, her adorable singing and Crawford's ad-lib lirics. Priceless.

School's Out

We woke up this morning to the news that the kids school would open at 10am - so no big deal. That is until they call back by 8:00 to say - they are closed all day. I've enjoyed every minute of my break - but I was ready to get back to work and a "normal" routine. But, what are you going to do? I sat the kids with toys and tv and tried to work as much as I could. By 10:45, Crawford is pulling on my leg, "I'm bored Momma." So...it's project time.

We used pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed to make bird feeders. It was perfect with the snow on the ground - I told Crawford we had to help feed them. This was one of the BEST projects I've done with the kids so far. Crawford did all of the steps and loved the "messy" part. He really got into the fact that we were "helping" the birds.

Conlee was just glad Crawford was occupied - which means she got to play with his cars!
That didn't last too long. Because where the "action" is is where Con wants to be. So we pulled up her highchair and the squeals and claps began.

Our finished product. We let them dry during nap.

At about 4:00 Crawford reminded me we needed to hang the "bird food." So - I let the kids watch from a window and I hung all gazillion feeders.
By 5:00, I heard, "Wanna play motorcycle with me Momma." I really had "ignored" him for the most part of the day (or as I prefer to say, he had lots of independent play) - so I said sure. We ended up creating tunnels complete with "obstacles" (aluminum foil and toy glasses). I will say - it was a lot of fun. Oh yea - forgot to mention that at one point during the day - I'd convinced Crawford that my colanders were "alien" helmets - so that was "play time" for a while. Wish I had a pic of that. The "small" colander fit Conlee perfectly.

More Snow!

I was so surprised when we woke up this morning to another snow fall. We officially "canceled" church and suited up for some family play time.

It was such a light, powdery snow that it was hard to even make a snowball. Here's my attempt at a snowman.

Bo recruited some help from the kids.

My snow angel...

Crawford's snow angel...

They would NOT give up on the snowman.

Victory at last!

The boys next door brought out like 6 sleds and the real fun began!

What you have to know about me is I am from West Memphis aka - the flatest land in the United States. The closest thing that we came to sledding was my dad hooking the sled up the the 4-wheeler and dragging us around. So today was literally my first "true" sledding experience. After a few solo runs, Bo trusted me enough to go with Crawford.

Blurry pic - but you can see from my face - we were having a ball. I even put Conlee down for a mid-morning nap so that she could thaw out and we could continue sledding.

The boys (and yes that included 2 grown men) started a snowball fight. Crawford would fill his Gator up with "ammunition."

I heard a knock on the door. It was Crawford. "I need to come in and warm up a bit Momma."

My favorite part of snow - snow ice cream! We made a HUGE batch after lunch.

We've been so lucky that it's been snow and not ice (knock on wood!).

It's Game Time

It's been all Razorbacks for us today. Bo and Crawford went to the basketball game and tonight we are gearing up for the Liberty Bowl. In an effort to "watch the game live" - we put the kids in their "movie theater."This lasted about 15 seconds.
I heard lots of commotion and somewhere in the process they had each gotten hats to wear. Pretty soon Con was in tears because Crawford decided he wanted to wear the Cubs hat, etc. So we threw in the towel and are now recording the game. Can't wait to get them tucked in and cheer on the Hogs!

Happy New Year

Our New Year's tradition includes, of course, black-eyed peas and cornbread - but we have a special "McCain" twist - we throw in fried ribs. Sounds weird - right? They are the best thing you have EVER put in your mouth. We took all of the food to Sue-Sue and J-J's. Crawford insisted his motorcycle make the trip too.Sue-Sue found some of Bo's old stuffed animals (Raggedy Andy and Bear-Bear). Con was a huge fan.
I think the best thing to happen (so far in 2010) is the phone rang this morning and it was my Dad! I talked to him last night and he was still super confused. But this morning, he was so clear and sounded like himself. I haven't really "talked" to him in almost 2 months - it really was a miracle. I like the way this new year is starting out. Hopes and prayers that it continues!

New Year's Eve

Bo and I failed to secure sitters for New Year's Eve - so we decided to just cook some yummy food for the 2 of us. Turns out, Sue-Sue and J-J ended up with no plans so at the last minute they decided to join us. Isn't it great how sometimes having no plans turns out to be so much fun?

We promised Crawford that he could ride his Gator before dark. Isn't he funny all bundled up?

Conlee finally decided she likes Crawford's pony. We tried it a few weeks ago and she HATED it. But now - she rocks and literally rolls all over the place.

We had a "party" with the kids before bed time. They loved to "celebrate."

We had mushrooms in Maderia cream sauce for an app; shrimp & grits; Italian spinach; garlic bread and the best part - cherries jubilee. Yummy and fun!