Pigtails to Puberty

Why is it that pigtails have the power to launch my sweet dollface from babyhood into childhood? Must time march on? 

Here's how I see it. In order to enjoy your 15-month-old, you have to say good-bye to your 14-month-old. FOREVER. A death of sorts. Morbid? These are my thoughts. 

Don't get me wrong, there are some things I happily leave behind. Middle-of-the night feedings, for example. Lugging around a carseat in the crook of my arm all over tarnation. That I can let go. But the baby who thinks I am the moon, the sun, and all the stars, I'll miss her.

My 14-year-old told me the other day, "You're too nice and friendly to my friends. It's embarrassing. You just need to chill." Bless her heart. Some things I won't miss.

But, as I age, I'll tend to forget the small visitor who stands next to me as I have just sat down to eat. She patiently waits for the smell to reach my nose and turn off my stomach, so I'll be sufficiently motivated to freshen her diaper. I'll forget about the inconvenience.

I'll only remember the sweet cheeks (both kinds), the chubby little hands around my neck, the squeals of excitement for tubby time, the plump thumb popped sweetly into her pucker. 

I'll have to say good-bye to my baby. There's no way around it. But... I get to say hello to a brand new toddler. And that's not a bad thing.

Ahoy Matey!

Couldn't resist posting Camelot as Pirate Cutie Petutie. As you can see, this particular pirate is more meekness than mutiny. Case in point: direct quote [to Hubs], "Thanks for getting my booger." [To me], "I love how you make chocolate," (which was actually cinnamon and sugar). "Thanks, Mom, for the kiss." Shiver me timbers, he suffered a serious smoocher attack after that one. 

Family Portrait on Granny's Stairs

Should we frame it?

Tubular!

The neighbors rented a tubing resort for the night and invited us and several other families in our neighborhood to surf the snow. MK quickly met up with Meckenzy and Mckinsie, who each sported an 80's snowsuit (one in peach and the other in pink/teal) with "professional tubers" taped on the back. Totally radical. 

Burnin' a Hole in My Pocket

On Christmas Day, Hubs and the kiddos walked down the snowy street from Grandpa's house to Great-grandpa's house. The recent widower gathered the kids around him and said, "I hear you have a savings plan..." MK, "Yep, that's right." G-grampa says as he passes out $20 bills, "Merry Christmas! Remember the money is for your future!" PG gave Hubs a knowing look and said, "My future starts tomorrow."

In the Hood

The kids haven't seen this yet. I'm embarrassed for them already.

Tag: Ten Favourites!

Been tagged by Sarah the Brit Wit. She calls them: Favourites!

Top 10 Favourite TV shows:

1. Jon & Kate Plus Eight (Thanks, Jen! She does have great and practical ideas!)

2. BYU Devotional

3. BYU Education Week

4. KBYU Conference report 

5. KBYU Total Body Workout

6. Kids by the Dozen (they ALL [that I've seen] home-school and build their own homes by hand!)

7. What Not to Wear (DVR, FF to the last couple of segments)

8. Dr. Phil (watched 10 mins. of it last night—it was the first time in about 6 months! Where are my priorities!?!)

9. King of Queens with Hubs

10. Law & Order with Hubs

Ten Things I Did Yesterday

1. "Total Body Workout" with Cam and Cy

2. Drove Cy to kindergarten and later picked up the 3 Mids from elementary. Dropped them off at the house, and went back for MK at middle school.

3. Drove in the blizzard to AF Rec. center to sign Mia up for basketball and then to the bank to make a deposit.

4. Drove to grocery store for dinner ingredients (I never do this—it's against my principles of efficiency and proper prior planning [blah, blah, blah])

5. Drove carpool to and from scouts. (Are you seeing a pattern here?)

6. Drove MK to YW and picked up Mia from b-ball practice. Singin', "I love my dang Suburban, espesh'ly when I'm in it!"

7. Gazed lovingly at the falling snow (I'm not in charge of snow blowing)

8. Made food and cleaned house

9. Read some scrips

10. Snuggled with Hubs in the Cuddlebag for two hours

All's well that ends well!

Top Ten Favourite Restaurants

1. Zupa's (Lobster Bisque)

2. Epic (incred signature Pear Gorgonzola salad)

3. Wingers (Sticky-finger salad) (For me, the restaurant is synonymous with what I eat there. I never vary. Variety may be the spice of life, but predictability is my bread and butter.)

4. BOYCOTTING Chili's! (They dropped my all-time favorite meal—Caribbean salad—from the menu. Unforgivable.)

5. Tuscany (pork chops and garlic mashed with Mile-high chocolate cake for dessert)

6. Los Hermanos (combo burrito)

7. Sampan (General Taos chicken and Shrimp Lo Mein)

8. The Pie (Pepperoni and Root Beer)

9. Jamba Juice (Cardio-something or other)

10. Training Table (cheese fries and salad)

Ten Things on My Wish List

1. Hubs would stop FREAKING OUT about the ECONOMY

2. Puddin' would give me kisses on demand. (Ok, let's be reasonable... that she would give me even ONE kiss at some point, preferably before her 2nd birthday.)

3. I could memorize all the scriptures, cover to cover, and all Conference talks. When I hear the truth, it changes my life, my heart, my attitude. Forgetting is my problem. 

4. A photographic memory in general would be great

5. I could dance like my girls

6. Mia's hair

7. MK's outgoing, fun-loving way with people.

8. Mary Poppins would pop-in to demonstrate to the kids that cleaning is all about sugar and magic!

9. Someone would fix me a super-nutritious (and yummy) lunch every day, because I'll tell you what—I'm not goin' to all that effort. (I get overwhelmed easily when it comes to food prep.)

10. Someone would follow me around the house, pat me on the back, and say, "Wow. You are just a super amazing person. Look at you go! Have I mentioned how remarkable you look in your ponytail and sweats? Quite stunning, really...."  

I tag all interested bloggies! Ready... set... GO!

Get Your Groove On