Look Ma... No Training Wheels!!

Last Saturday, the 15th I decided that I was going to do my monthly exercise so I went for a walk around the neighborhood. When I got back I found Christian teaching Luke to ride his bike without the training wheels. At first I thought 'how did Christian convince him to do it?' Every time I ever mentioned it to Luke, he would quickly answer "No" with fear in his voice. But, Luke did a great job and so did Christian!! I tried multiple times to post a video clip and I couldn't get it to upload. Any tips on doing that?

I also wanted to post a picture of Carman with our neighbor Taylor. She is such a pretty girl and I am so thankful that the kids have such a good friend to play with. The last picture is of Carman in a dress that Taylor gave her.

Bunco turned to Yucko

Have you ever heard of Bunco? Well, I have heard of it but I had no clue what it was. A group of ladies in our neighborhood invited me to a Bunco night. I immediately told them I have no idea what it is or how to do it. Apparently it is a dice game (according to my google search). But, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know some of the women that live on my street. Well, I had put it on my calendar for last Thursday and I was kinda excited about the new adventure. Thursday rolls around and as I am leaving my last class and walking to my car on ECU campus, Christian calls and tells me his meeting in Winston-Salem has run over and he will not be home until after 8:00. Bunco started at 7:00. I was initially really ticked and then thought I could get someone to watch them. So, I am on my way to pick the kiddos up at my momma's house. I pick them up and I am in McDonald's(close to mom's house) drive-thru giving my order when I look back and Luke is vomiting into his hands. My first thought..."Serenity Now"! I go back to mom's to clean up the car and Luke. He was so pitiful. He is never still and quiet but he was at that point. I didn't mention that Luke vomited in Christian's brand new 2009 car! So after clean up, we head home w/ only 1 time pulling off the road. Once we get home he gets sick 2 more times. And I realized even if Christian gets home soon, I cannot leave Luke. Plus I was worn out! So that is how Bunco quickly turned into Yucko!! Maybe next month I will be able to explain how Bunco works???

Elf on the Shelf

I know it is a little early, but Luke and I were so excited about introducing the Elf on the Shelf to our family.

For those of you who don't know what "Elf on the Shelf" is. Let me briefly explain....I bought this kit from Hallmark that includes a book and an elf. The book explains the whole christmas tradition of "Elf on the Shelf".........So that Santa can see who is naughty or nice, he sends his elves to watch the children. A family can adopt one of his elves and gives it a name and then places it on a shelf in their home. The elf cannot talk (per Santa's request) but the children can tell him anything they want to. The children cannot touch the elf either or his Christmas magic will disappear. But the elf watches the children all day and at night while they sleep, he uses Christmas magic to fly back to the North Pole and give Santa his report. In the morning, when the children wake up, the elf is in a new location and the children have to find it.

Luke is so into this new tradition. As I put him to bed last night he said:

Luke: "Mommy is that elf really going to fly back to the North Pole tonight?"

Mommy: "Yes, he will"

Luke: "How will he do that?"

Mommy: "He will use Christmas magic."

Luke: "Cool, I am going to find him first in the morning!"

Sure enough at 6:45 am I hear "I found it... I found the elf first".

Then later that morning at the kitchen table I overhear the following conversation:

Carman: crying over something

Luke: "Carman, that elf can hear you and he is watching you!!"

Carman: No response (she doesn't really give 2 cents about this elf)

My thoughts are... maybe I should keep the elf out all year!! Nevertheless, I love this time of the year and the best part is seeing it through my children's eyes. They make it so much fun!!

Halloween 2008

The kids checking out their stash of candy from trick or treating.
Our family at the scary house on the block!
Trick or Treat!
Me and my babies!!
Carman, Luke, David G., and Phoebe!
Taking a break at Trunk or Treat!
Cinderella and Luke Skywalker the night of Trunk of Treat!!


I know that I shouldn't be a grump, but I am glad that Halloween is over. It was exhausting!! On Thursday, 30th we had Trunk or Treat at church! So as soon as I got off work, I went to the church. It was nice. The kids did a cake walk and then they went outside to trunk or treat. There was also classrooms in the church that were occupied by different families that decorated their room for halloween. Luke was excited b/c his cousins were there and David Grant from the first ward. Carman loved it b/c Luke loved it!!
The next morning, which was Halloween morning, I took the kids to their parties at the day care. They enjoyed seeing their friends and eating more goodies.
That afternoon, I got the kids ready for the big night. We first visited our neighbors and then we went to our old neighborhood to visit our neighbors there. Then we headed to Aunt Faye's for the real reason for halloween...... Kathy's birthday. I feel so lucky to have Kathy in my life. She means so much to me and I love her so much! My kids have caught the Kathy bug as well. They love her and enjoy being around her. Her sweetness is contagious! All the cousins were at Aunt Faye's and enjoyed being together! There was one guest who wasn't welcome.... "that mean ugly man". My brother-in-law, in the spirit of Halloween, got a hairy monster mask for his costume. He had it on was walking around Aunt Faye's house. I didn't think anything of it, but when I went in the back room of her house, I found my sweet Carman at the very back of the couch. I said "what are you doing Carman?". Her bottom lip started to quiver and her mouth turned to a frown and she said, as tears started to fall "That mean ugly man going to get me." It was so pitiful. She wouldn't let go of me for the next 30 minutes. She still talks about that "mean ugly man" getting her. Carman got past it in time to go trick or treating. We all had a great time. Kathy had a great time as well and she was the belle of the ball. We love you Kathy!!! (I am so upset that I didn't even get her a picture of her)

I had trouble formatting this post, b/c I am using the Mac and I am still trying to figure it out. Sorry!