The Swing

One of Raegan's favorite things to do these days is to sit in the baby swing and let Peyton push her. Now Raegan is way too big for the swing and looks huge sitting in it, I mean her feet almost touch the ground. But she doesn't care. And Peyton pushes her just as hard as she can. I have to keep an eye on this activity though, because I'm afraid she's going to flip over.  Here's pictures of them in action....

Be On Guard

I saw this article today and I thought I would re-post some of it.  This is pretty disturbing, to say the least, though not surprising.  The world is out to get our little ones.  We as parents really need to be on guard.  "Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith..."  1 Peter 5:8-9 
And you thought Glee was just an innocent little show about some high school kids. 
Here's parts of the article if you don't want to access the link...

"Long gone are the days when Marcia Brady’s sweet smile and Winnie Cooper’s brains and beauty were how television represented teen-age girls.
According to a new study conducted by the Parents Television Council (PTC), Hollywood is shockingly obsessed with sexualizing teen girls, to the point where underage female characters are shown participating in an even higher percentage of sexual situations than their adult counterparts: 47 percent to 29 percent respectively.
PTC’s report, entitled “New Target: A Study of Teen Female Sexualization on Primetime TV” is based on a content analysis drawn from the 25 most popular shows in the 12-17 demographic throughout the 2009-2010 television season.
"The results from this report show Tinseltown’s eagerness to not only objectify and fetishize young girls, but to sexualize them in such a way that real teens are led to believe their sole value comes from their sexuality," said PTC President Tim Winter. "This report is less about the shocking numbers that detail the sickness of early sexualization in our entertainment culture and more about the generation of young girls who are being told how society expects them to behave."
“Storylines on the most popular shows among teens are sending the message to our daughters that being sexualized isn’t just acceptable, it should be sought after,” Winter said. “It is outrageous that TV executives have made it their business to profit off of programs that depict teen girls blissfully being sexualized by casual partners.”
Examples used by the PTC to illustrate their findings, all taken from prime time broadcast television, included Taylor Momsen’s character in bed with Ed Westwick on “Gossip Girl,” Annalynne McCord taking a swig of alcohol while donning a bra and panties on “90210,” and a lesbian kiss between cheerleaders on “Glee.”
“Certain shows, advertisers, etc. sexualize underage people, which does double damage: it sends a message to youth that their self-worth depends on their sexuality, and provokes inappropriate sexual responses from adults.  This is irresponsible programming and is disrespectful to youth,” Los Angeles-based psychologist Dr. Nancy Irwin said."

By Hollie McKay
FoxNews.com

Watch Whay You Say

The other night on the way to a Christmas party at church, a guy did something kind of crazy on the road and then honked at me for it.  But while he was driving crazy I said, "Go dude!  Make up your mind!" 
What do I hear from the backseat not five minutes later from Peyton while stopped at a red light? 
"Go dude!  Make up your mind!"  I guess I better start minding my manners! 

It's Friday Ya'll!

Everyone seems to do a Friday Facts post, so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon again....

1. If I don't stop drinking SO much hot chocolate, I'm going to turn into a puddle of hot chocolate.

2. My sister is moving out tonight!  WHOO HOO!!  HAHA!  I am happy for her because I know she's happy. 

3.  I have not done any Christmas shopping.  As you can tell, I'm not an early bird with this.

4. If my Christmas tree manages to stay upright for another week, I will be absolutely amazed.  Kids.

5. Why does the traffic get bad when it gets colder outside?  Yes, this seems to be a fact in New Orleans.  ;)

Enjoy your weekend!

Why Do I Bother Part II

In this post, I talked about mopping my floors. So Tuesday night when this happened on the dining room floor...

and then when Peyton spilled her milk all over the floor, only 2 days after the mopping happened........I decided to mop AGAIN!

Snuggle Bunnies

Snuggle Bunnies

Why Do I Bother?

I've never been that great of a cleaner...mopping, dusting, etc.  So when I couldn't find a mop head replacement three months ago, my cleaning really went south.  Now, I do want to say that I don't live in a pig sty.  I can't stand clutter and messiness.  It's just the cleaning that I don't get around to that often.  It's hard though when you work full time and have little kids, not that this is an excuse, but there are other things in my life that take priority these days. 
Last week when I finally just broke down and bought a new mop, I was proud of myself.  I was even prouder when Saturday, I swept and mopped really good.  My kitchen, dining room, and bathroom really needed it.  Then Saturday night, I dropped a plate of meat in the kitchen.  Then Raegan, sitting in her high chair like a little "angel", threw her plate of apricots down in the dining room.  Then Peyton, waiting until the last possible second to go to the bathroom, peed in her pants, dripping down her legs all over the bathroom floor.  This all happened that night, not two hours after I finished my mopping.  So I ask, Why bother?!  :)

Sleep

Tuesday night as I laid in bed trying to go to sleep, I thought of about 4 blog topics.  Wednesday at work, I could remember one of those!  Why does that always happen?  I remember good ones in the shower or at night laying in bed.  I guess it's the only chance my brain has to focus for two seconds put together. 

But speaking of sleep, I really got to thinking about this topic last week during Thanksgiving break.  My husband doesn't understand why I need so much sleep, and I don't understand it either.  He says I'm a sleep nazi.  I've had blood work done and everything is normal.  I get eight hours of sleep a night, and at least most nights are without interruption.  So why do I feel every other hour like I want to crawl under my desk and take a nap?  Why do I drag around and feel so tired?  I think I figured out why.  I don't need eight hours of sleep a night.....I need at least 9!  So my new goal is to get to bed by 9pm every night so that I can get 9 hours.  In fact, Monday night I felt so good after getting nine hours of sleep that me and the girls went to the grocery store by ourselves.  I would normally never ever ever ever try to do this.  It's not usually very productive or enjoyable.  But I just felt so darn great, and we needed food.  So if you try to call me after 9 and I don't answer, it's properly because I'm already counting sheep. 

What about you?  Do you need a lot of sleep at night to function properly during the day?  And why do I hear most husbands say that they can do on 5 or 6 hours a night?

Pictures

Last week when my mom was here, we went to the zoo.  I love this picture because Peyton looks like she's up to no good.  The picture below is a good action shot.

For Thanksgiving, we went to Monroe to be with Arnold's family.  Peyton and Raegan had a good time playing with cousins in the yard.  But the reason I posted this pic is because I think it's hilarious....I have no earthly idea where Raegan got that cup from that she's drinking out of.  I'm sure it was just a random cup in the yard.

It's so much fun to be a kid!

Saturday night was cookie making/tree decorating time!

I had lots of little "helpers" this year.  Peyton actually did a very good job of helping me hang the string and the ornaments.  Raegan, well, she just puts the laid the ornaments on the branches.  But I guess that's pretty good for a 15 month old.  Now keeping her hands OFF the tree is a different story.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Hope you enjoy lots of turkey with your family!

Learning to Play

Peyton's teaching Raegan how to play the piano these days.

Church Directory

In September, our church had everyone come and take pictures for a new directory. Let me just say that coordinating everyone for family pictures is a miserable experience. It didn't help that I procrastinated picking everyone's clothes out, then realized at the last minute that we really didn't have any colors that coordinated. Well, we ended up finding something that worked, but I have learned my lesson for next time...prepare early. Even then, it's so hard to make sure everyone stays clean, pretty, and out of trouble.  And I'm usually a ball of stress. It's not easy, but it's always worth it to have picture memories of the children.  Maybe your picture experience goes a lot smoother than mine?  You would never tell by the pictures below that 45 minutes prior, we were all running over the apartment like chickens with our heads cut off.  I'm sure no one else with young kids has picture experiences like ours, right?

Not in the Genes

The night before, I usually try to lay out clothes for Peyton and Raegan so that it is easy the next morning for whomever gets them ready.  Sometimes I forget though, and it seems like the times I do forget is always the times Arnold gets them ready that next morning.  It's hilarious to see the clothes combinations he puts on the kids.  Sometimes I wonder where he finds this stuff. 
Yesterday morning on Raegan....little khackies and a sleeveless lime green summer shirt, on backwards no less.  Never mind that it's fall outside.  This is one of my other favorites...a pink outfit, matching pink shirt and pants, with pastel yellow socks.  Sometimes I find Raegan in nothing but a Halloween onesie and no pants.  Frequently I find them with their shirts on backwards and not buttoned.  Why don't I ever remember to take pictures??!! 
Men just weren't designed to choose clothes for their little girls.  It's just not in the genes. 

A Recap

I have been a bad blogger lately.  My goal is to post something every day, but that never happens.  So my next goal is to post something at least 2 or 3 times a week.  And that has not happened lately either.  I'm not sure why, but I've been in a bad blogging mood lately.  I guess you could say I've been rebelling against the blog.  Maybe it's the fact that work has been insane or the fact that I'm so busy or just tired or that I haven't had time to think of anything worthwhile or that there's really been nothing worthwhile to talk about.  Who knows!  But I am back today, and I've decided to recap some things going on in our lives.....

1.  As you may remember, my sister has been staying with us since August, and has been the temp secretary at my work for the past 12 weeks.  Well, today is her last day, and I'm really going to miss getting to boss her around at work!  HA!  No seriously, I've really enjoyed having her around.  And I'm going to miss her buying me little treats from the cafe.  But she will still be living with us for about another month, so I won't be missing her too much cause she'll still be around.

2. We have seen God's provision this week in a cool way during a tough time.

3. Yesterday at work, I looked down and noticed that my fly was down on my dress pants.  How long it had been down, I have no idea.  Man, I hate that!  I felt embarrased even though no one was around. 

4. The other day, Peyton noticed that Janna had not made her bed, and so she said, "Mommy, Janna didn't make her bed.  I'm going to tell her she needs to make her bed!"  (Janna, you better hope Mama doesn't read this blog)  I'm so glad Peyton is learning to be tidy(better than I can say about myself).  Her Grammy would be so proud! 

5.  Every Sunday on the way home from church, I always ask Peyton what she learned.  Two Sundays ago, she said, "Jesus and Crayons!"  This past Sunday she said, "Jesus and Crackers!"

6. Tonight and tomorrow morning, we are having a ladies retreat at my church.  It's going to be a lot of fun.  I've been on the planning committee for this, and have enjoyed getting to know some of the ladies at our new church through this.  Which leads me to my next point....

7.  This event has been in the planning stages for several months now.  I've been to all the meetings, helped decorate, helped with promotion, etc.  The ONE weekend of the whole year this event is to take place, is the ONE weekend I have to be at work to take care of some business Friday night and Saturday morning, right smack dab in the middle of the ladies' retreat.  I have to wonder why things like this happen.  I NEVER have to go to work on a Friday night or a Saturday morning.  Never in my five years of working here.  And I never usually have plans for the weekend.  Why does it have to be the same weekend?  Sometimes I just don't get life. 

8. I am looking forward to great things the Lord has in store for us(for you).  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11  This is one of my absolute favorite verses.

9. I was at the mall browsing around in Bath and Body Works this past week and I noticed Christmas music playing as well as wreaths everywhere.  To be honest, I wish they would at least wait until after Thanksgiving to start promoting Christmas.  But at the same time, I start getting excited too.  What do you think about this?  Are you sick of Christmas music and Christmas by the time December 25th rolls around?

10. I want to come up with a #10, but I'm all out of ideas.  Hope you have a great weekend!

Fall Fest Fun!

 Just to show you how big this dog is...when it jumps, it's as tall as a man!

 I won't do a slide like this with Peyton anytime again soon.  The kids on this slide were crazy!  I would have been the same way though, if we would have had these when I was a kid.  We're at the top of the slide, if you have a hard time seeing us.

 Uh oh daddy.  She's shooting a gun.

 Raegan had fun too.

 Everyone has to have their face painted at a fall fest!

I have to say that this was one of the best fall festivals I have been to.  It started at 4:30, so it was still daylight, which is great for little ones.  It helped that the weather was warm too.  It wasn't too incredibly crowded, there were lots of great little games, the music was not BLARING loud so that you had to yell, and they gave you plenty of tickets to get lots of food.

The Pumpkin Patch Gravel Lot

                                           This pumpkin patch was more like a gravel lot with a few pumpkins on pallets.  It was an interesting "pumpkin patch".  I guess this is how you do a pumpkin patch in the city.

                                                 The Cheeser.

They look like they're having a blast, right? HA!

And the Halloween Fun Continues...

Of course the daycare had dress up day....

Raegan loves to ham it up in front of the cameras these days.

And now a visit to the past.....

                              This was Halloween 2008.  Peyton wore the same little outfit to go trick-or-treating.

Early Halloween Pictures

                               Peyton playing with the new Barbie her great-grandmother sent her.

                                  Raegan was not a happy camper.  This picture is so funny to me.

                                 Peyton dragging  leading Peyton.

Big Red

                                         My new favorite drink.  Have you ever had this stuff? 

Can You Tell Me How to Get...

Want to know what we spent our Saturday morning doing? Sesame Street and Friends at the New Orleans Arena!  Someone gave me four free tickets, and while I wasn't exactly in awe of this performance, there was a little three year old girl who had the time of her life.  Peyton loved it.  And I loved watching the joy on her face!

                                            She was on the edge of her seat the whole time.

                                           Raegan had a blast.  This was two minutes into the show.

A Daddy and his little girls after the show.