"My Boys!"

We pawned off Little Pumpkin to my friend Jaime. (thanks again!) And headed for a "special surprise." Little Lion was dying to know what, where, when and why! I was impressed with his inquiries . . . "Are we spending the night?" "Will I stay there without you?" Just like his daddy . . . one smart fella! (I won't reverse that like his daddy does!)

ANYWAY, once on the road we started giving clues. The biggest one being "remember when you went to see Handy Manny with Magnum?" (well, great clue dad, but now we had one bummed little boy that we weren't going to see Handy Manny.) Finally after explaining what a concert was, we asked who he would want to go see if he could go to a concert . . . "Tobymac" JACKPOT!!!

This is the worst cheesy smile I've seen! But Daddy Lion was looking good! *wink*

SO, we were on the floor! Awesome seats (if you're 6'3"!) This is Tobymac introducing the first performer, b. reith. I enjoyed his soulful sound!

Reliant K ~ we realized we aren't has hip as we used to be! *grin* I only knew one song . . . thanks to Tia. (Sadie hawkins Dance in my khaki pants ooo, ooo, ooo . . .)

What's a concert without a cheesy self portrait!?!

Little Lion kept asking "why are they singing the wrong words?" After sitting through 3 performances:

The long awaited Tobymac and Diverse City!

Since we were on the floor. . . Daddy Lion was holding Little Lion much of the night. I did when he would let . . . I just really wasn't much help being vertical challenged myself! *wink*

The song of choice! Little Lion was ready to go home after hearing his song! This is the one he had waited all night for: BOOMIN'

At one point, Tobymac was so close . . . we were on the edge of a row and was hoping he'd come further down, but this is as close as he got!

YES! He is asleep during the encore! I'm not sure how!!!

Everyone came back out for the last song . . . a Christmas song. We had so much fun! I'm sure we'll have many more concerts in our future. . . that boy loves him some music!

Why we had kids . . .

Merry Christmas! *smile*

Boomin' Out your Radio System

Okay, so maybe not something you would have pumped up the volume to, but nonetheless . . . Little Lion's class went to the local bank to sing and the local (I mean town of 3000) radio station played them live.
(disclaimer: I was unaware of the fact they would be on the radio or I would have let you know! People could have listened online even! I'm not bitter! *grrr*)


This actually three classes from his school. He is the second from the right in the Charlie Brown shirt. (Which according to him yesterday was his favorite cartoon!)


This was such a sweet little song about Baby Jesus . . . they were pretending to hold him and kiss him! Of course NOW he doesn't remember the words for me to video him! He kept his eyes on his teacher the entire time . . . people I'm thinking we may have a performer on our hands!

Ms. K came to see the performance and she took this pic for me.

Here is the short video I did get . . . I'm still at odds with my video mode . . . I missed another clip that I thought I had . . . time to get the manual out I guess!

So did you notice when Ms. Judy asked them to get louder? *giggle* So much fun . . . Not sure about the song . . . something about angels in a band on Sunday morning. I really need to get the words to these songs! *wink*

Hope you are enjoying the Christmas season!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Okay, so the title is not original. Since there was no AWANA or small group last night, we headed out to get our Christmas tree! I grew up with the plastic variety and upon marriage was introduced the real thing. I love the search for the perfect tree.

The Kids love the hay ride out to the trees.

The Z Family joined us this year.

I know you needed to see another family picture!

*wink*

And they're OFF!

Nothing beats a game of ring around the rosey!

This is the best part! Mr. C was cracking me up!

He was going to cut the tree while squatting (wouldn't want to get dirty!). He resorts to sitting on the ground. Finally, he shed the coat and was laying on the ground!

I do have video, but I cherish our friendship. *giggle*

Our tree!

I did really good this time. Minus the time spent watching the Z family get theirs, I think I did a record time finding a tree!

A new tradition (how many years do you have to do something before it becomes tradition?) Well, like last year we headed to the butcher shop for some yummy burgers!

My favorite burgers to be exact! *smile*

Happy decorating!

"Today . . .

. . . we light the first candle, the Prophet's candle, pointing to God's promise of Jesus."

That was Little Lion's line for this mornings lighting of the Advent wreath at church. He did AWESOME! I was so proud of him. No stumbling, no stage fright, he spoke loud and clear and slowly.
We were so honored to be asked to participate. Advent was new to me when Daddy Lion and I married, and I have so enjoyed it becoming part of our family tradition. I even learn something new every year!

So as you prepare for the Christmas season, remember it's not just our homes, but our hearts we must prepare!
Just had to share this sweet pic of Little Pumpkin in her dress Lolly made! I got so many compliments ~ Lolly you should open a shop! Thank you for talent and time.

Turkey Day Happenings

Love Turkey Day! It's just fun to get together with family, eat and enjoy company! My feeble attempt to get a family picture turned into a photo session with the kids . . . so here's Tia!She's so photogenic it's just not fair! My kids could take a lesson or two from her. Believe it or not this was the best of the three shots I took ~ I think the parade was more exciting than looking at the camera.

Next we have Lolly and POP!
Yes, Little Pumpkin has something in her mouth. I believe this is the only way to get her still for longer than 3 seconds.

So now for our family . . . first getting the sillies out:
... in hopes of getting a good family shot.

A little blurry, but at least we are all looking at the camera! *wink* This should get easier as they get older . . . right!?!?

After the family pics, it was time for lunch. We had WAY more food than 5 adults and 2 kids should have in a week! There was no room for dessert so we headed out for our Thanksgiving movie. We started this a few years back ~ going to the movies on Thanksgiving day ~ it's actually been really fun. The theater is empty and I'm not worried about the kids disturbing anyone (besides us).

We saw Bolt in 3-D! Don't you love the glasses. It was quite cute, but the shades gave me a bit of headache. Little Lion informed us on the way home, that it was "scary," however he was glued to the screen the entire time.

Little Pumpkin, well she did alright. After a few laps up and down the row she fell asleep on Tia (the last 20 minutes!). So she was DONE by the time we got home . . . nap time!

Truly Thankful

I'm still getting over how quickly Thanksgiving has arrived. We've been working on a grateful attitude with Little Lion and in doing so, it's made me really work on one myself. We have so many blessings to be thankful for I don't even think I could list them all . . . not enough time or even words to express how amazing blessed I am just being a child of God!

But as I think through all the material "things," I realize I am most thankful for my husband! I could survive without a lot of our "things" (I'm not saying I'd be happy without them *wink*), but I'm just not sure I would make it without him. He has blessed my life in so many ways. And continues to so on a daily basis.

I'm not one to be sappy, so grin and bear this! This Thanksgiving, I am truly thankful for Daddy Lion! *XOXOXO*

How not to catch a 2 year old . . .

For some crazy reason, well . . . it was quite logical at the time, but it will take too much time for me to explain the train of thought . . . I did a "Princess Leia" hairstyle on Little Pumpkin yesterday. Knowing it would not last the day much less the hour, I decided to take a picture. This is the response I got:




Notice the backdrop we have now changed locations . . .

Maybe a book will distract . . . at least she's still, but stubborn ~ no eye contact.

Finally, a true smile! I kind of gave up on the attempt to get a smile and hair shot! *wink*

Girl time!

After church we headed to Lolly and Pop's house for lunch. Some nice warm homemade chili, perfect after a cold morning. Little Pumpkin and Pop napped while the rest of us played a vibrant game of CLUE! Love that game . . . Well, with they guys gone (Little Lion to nap, Daddy Lion to play on the computer), it was girl time.

Lolly bought these fun nail tools for stamping on your nails. If you know Lolly you know she loves painted nails! In the middle of doing my nails, Little Pumpkin woke up . . .
I had my hands out flat letting them dry and the next thing I know Little Pumpkin is sitting beside me with her sweet little hand flat on the table, waiting her turn!

Love making these memories . . . I know Little Pumpkin will always remember Lolly painting her nails! That just warms my heart.

The finished products.

I just love this picture . . . She looks so innocent and sweet. Yet notice both Lolly and I having to hold her hand down to finish! *wink*

Starting early!

Okay, so if you are a child of the eighties you'll understand this post! You remember sponge rollers!?! As do I. Mostly good, but oh so not fun to sleep in! Well, I decided last weekend, on a whim, to see what Little Pumpkin would do.

She stood so still (Still is relative and for her it was still). I got it all up and she kept them in throughout dinner and even most the night. I think we lost four during the night. But I don't think she pulled them out. Just casualties of a combination of a restless sleeper and fine hair!




I didn't manage to get a pic of her after it was fixed for church. (I was doing good to get them all out in time for church!) But you can see the initial look after removing them:


I did tame it a bit, but it was so cute! So how many rollers do you think we had in there?
What's the most you've had in your hair?

One for the girlfriend . . .

Yesterday we had a Thanksgiving Feast at Little Lion's pre-school. The kids all sing a few songs, share their memory verse and we have a huge lunch. The school is so gracious to provide the meat, dressing and rolls! The parents/guests all bring a side dish.

I had my camera out during their singing and unfortunately never got it out again! OOPS. Anyway, here are some shots from the program:


I'm not sure why I'm still amazed how he stands so much taller than all his buddies! He is still just my Little Lion.

Okay, I'm so bummed that the video I thought I had taken evidently was not actually recording, but enjoy the show:

So, he may get his coordination from his mommy, but at least he gets his voice from his daddy! *wink* The phantom video was of him taking out the kids next to him with his "waves of mercy, waves of grace"! We won't rush out to sign up for those drama classes just yet. *smile*

Don't you wish you were a teacher . . .

Or at least Little Lion's teacher! *wink*
Remember Lolly's luscious pound cake recipe I was talking about?!? Here it is!


Hope your mouth is watering . . .

Just like a man . . .

Okay, you know Little Lion . . . his tender heart, loving spirit, cheerful child-like innocence . . .
Sometimes, I swell with pride as I imagine what kind of husband he will be . . . then my ego is burst!

School mornings are a little more rushed than most, but we have a system that seems to work for us. Little Lion is given five "chores" to accomplish while I fix breakfast. Simple: make your bed, get dressed, put your jammies in the dirty clothes, brush your teeth . . . okay that's only four . . . but he counts taking off his jammies as one also . . . don't know where he gets that from.

Anyway, I'm fixing breakfast this morning and Little Lion meets me in the the doorway as asks: "Mommy, are you coming home after you drop me off?" (A logical question, sometimes Little Pumpkin and I do some errands or have MOPS.)

Me: "No, not today."

LL: "Well, you should, because my laundry basket is full." (leaves room)

Me shocked and a bit humbled and tickled as I realize some characteristics are just natural guess! *wink*

I've been TAGGED!

So this is what I get for posting before reading every one's blog! I've been tagged in this blogging game. When you are tagged, you are supposed to retrieve the fourth picture from the fourth album on your computer. So, here you go . . .

This is Little Lion in Jan 2005 checking out our new washer/dryer! I love the little tip toes trying to see.

Here's today just to give you a little perspective! *smile*

Can't wait to see the pics and the stories behind them! So, I tag Cheryl, Michelle, Alicia, Brandi, Josie, Rebecca, Charity, and Aimee.

Say, Say Ol' Playmate . . .

I mentioned that while Daddy Lion was gone last week, God was good to give us dinner pals! One night we went to Magnum's house since Doc had an evening shift. Made the evening go faster and a little easier working together to get the kids feed and bathed! Plus filled the longing for adult conversation.

How sweet is that!?!

They were really hamming it up for us!

Finally true, blue smiles! Wait . . . do you see that?!?

Yes, you are reading this right! The catch is, Alligator put the sticker on Little Lion after asking me what it said! When I finally noticed it, Magnum and I were just about on the floor laughing! I guess better to get whipped now than later! *wink*

Bath time fun! Little Pumpkin is always eager to help!

Pajama Party!!!

Thanks again Magnum for a fun evening . . . made it go by so much faster than being at home alone! I'm sure the kids enjoyed themselves too! *smile*

Home at last!

As you've noticed my blogging has been pretty sparse this week . . . I've been single parenting it since Monday! Just a little leery of publicly posting that I'm home alone with my kids . . .
But now that Daddy Lion is home, all is good! We celebrated with a trip to DQ . . . too bad Daddy Lion is "watching his girlish figure"! That pumpkin pie blizzard was amazing! *grin*

God was so good to us! I can be a bit of a scared-y cat when all alone, but not once did I get spooked. And each night except one we shared meals with friends! Thank you to all of you who took us in! *wink*

Off to cuddle . . .