Cooking with Santa

Ok yes we paid good money to go "cook" cookies with Santa. Hey I love this world we live in. Pay a few dollars and they cook the cookies for you and do the dishes. You get to skip to the fun part. Decorating. No fuss and mess. Brilliant! Here are a few pics from our class. Adalyn had lots of fun decorating. The last pic is of her hiding from Santa.

More Snow pics

Here is Meredith and Adalyn heading to sled.

Snow!!!!

Last Thursday we woke up to everything covered in white. It was beautiful. When I went and woke up Adalyn and had her peek out her window to see the golf course covered in white she asked me if it was Christmas. Santa did not come but we had a fun filled day with neighbors and her buddy Meredith. So much fun. We rode sleds on the golf course hills and even made a big snowman. It was so much fun!!! Although, I couldn't imagine having to dress the kids for this weather everyday. I'll take the south. Today we were on the swing set in 80 degree weather. So beautiful!

Vanished?

No we have not vanished from the earth. And I try to keep in touch with some of yall through facebook. That is much easier then blogging. Sorry. So I could blame the holidays for my lack of activity or the fact that someone in my house has been sick for the last three weeks. But that is not the reason. My sweet, docile little boy has turned into a Tasmanian devil. Still sweet but a T5 tornado. We just thought Adalyn was active. Oh no, Burke is full speed times 1,000. So that is why I can't sit down for two minutes and type about their progress. He has figured out how to unlatch the cabinets, Climb Christmas trees, and get through a baby gate that has four bungee cords holding it. He has a permanent goose egg. I told Jeff I am scared that if we had a third child what it would be like if they keep progressively getting wilder.
I have a friend who blogs about the things her dog eats everyday. Well I am going to submit a pic of the things Burke learns to climb everyday. Don't worry. He is still sweet as every but just a handful.

Mondays!!!

Mondays are insane for us. I don't know why but they are always crazy. Maybe the fact that Daddy is back at work, both kids have school, and Adalyn has ballet at one. That doesn't seem like much but with all the rushing and driving and trying to get places on time, it just always turns out to be crazy.
So yesterday a little after one we pull up to ballet on two wheels. Adalyn jumps in the back to put on her ballet clothes. Of course we can't find the shoes. I am yelling and tossing who knows what all around my car. Finally I spot the shoes. Yea! I throw them on her feet. She starts whining that there is something in her shoe. I respond with get your bottom in class and stop whining. There is no way there is something in your shoe. We'll look when get inside. She limps inside. Well lucky us today the moms get to sit and watch class. This would be great except Burke is exhausted and the last thing he wants to do is sit and observe Adalyn dance for an hour. And of course I have no toys to entertain him. So anyways Adalyn starts dancing with a limp. After a little number they sit down. She proceeds to take off her shoe and tell Miss Laurie there is something in her shoe. Well I hate to admit there is something. No not a piece of dirt. A lid to a water bottle. Yeah who knew a water bottle lid would fit in a tiny ballet shoe. Sorry kid. Next time I will try to listen when you say there is something in your shoe.
But on another note to make myself feel a little better one of the dancers little sisters got her head stuck behind the bars. We had to act fast and squeeze her head out. Fun times at our ballet class. I am sure it will be Burke next year with his head stuck. Anyways who wants to just sit there calmly and enjoy your child dance like a ballerina. What kind of fun would that be?

Carving Pumpkins

http://www.slide.com/r/HFEvDvom4j82DqKBY8_BvCNldxJNA-xG?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

Fall Festival

Adalyn's school had a Fall Festival. I am not talking the dunking apples fall festival. This was a Fall Festival like no other. It was insane. Had tons of jumpy things, horses, 4 elephants, and a petting zoo. Where was this festival when I was growing up? We went had tons of fun ridding the elephant and horses. Adalyn event went down this huge jumpy slide. The line was long and I didn't really believe she would go up all by herself. It was like three stories. I would have been a little scared myself. She did it without any hesitation. I was so proud. I love that she has my adventurous side. Life can be so fun when you don't worry about consequences and jump in and go for it. I am so proud of you adalyn. With that statement I know I have to teach her about consequences but it fit for this occasion. She had so much fun!!!

She touched it! A little persuading but she did it. I am so proud!

Budda

Climbing

We went on down to the Audabon Zoo

We headed out to the Audubon Zoo a couple weekends. So much fun! The kids had a great time. Burke's, godfather, Scott met up with us. Adalyn had so much fun with him. Jeff and I loved it because he entertained her for a couple hours. What a great sport! Adalyn loves her some Scott. Despite the hours we spent walking around I would definitely have to say that the Carousel was her favorite. She drove us insane asking about it during the whole visit. Next time we do it first so we don't have to hear about it. So much fun!

Sunday Morning Tradition

We accidently started a Sunday morning tradition. It involves Jeff and the kids making pancakes. I LOVE this event. And no not because I am lazy and love my husband cooking for me. I love it because it is something that my husband and children love to do together. My daughter wakes up with a huge smile excited about cooking with her daddy. The pancakes are just a perk.

They Really Really Like Each Other

Every Wednesday my wonderful husband, Ima, has some mail bonding with our son so that I can go to an exercise class with some friends while Adalyn is in gymnastics. Well tonight I had a free pass to a consignment sale so I called to ask if Jeff minded watching the kids while I ran really quick to check out the goods. He was stressed because Burke was upset and fussy the whole time we were gone. So Adalyn and I prance in the house expecting meltdowns. Adalyn starts running around and Burke was laughing so hard I had to record it. She ALWAYS makes him laugh this hard. It is so funny. They love each other so much, well at least most of the time. Well some of the time. As long as she isn't trying to hold him down, throw lamps at him, or smother him. Anyways my point is does he seem super fussy? No I am kidding he is out of sorts but with this response at first I was like what? fussy? Now karma will come my way and I will be up all night with Burke. I get it. But you gotta admit his laugh is fabulous.

I have the world in my hands

Into Everything!!!!

Ariel...wait no it's Ima Johnson-Phyxer

What little girl wouldn't be proud of her mom being a beauty pageant Wait a minute it wasn't her mom, it was her dad dressed in drag. Adalyn was still super proud of her daddy getting all dressed up. She thought it was so funny. He even put on fake eyelashes. The girls at work were nice enough to help with all the make-up preparations since Ms. Mandi and I aren't real good with the blue eyeshadow and liquid eyeliner. At the end of the night we decided he was a very bad impression of Ariel. I have never laughed so hard at these guys. Too bad Jeff makes such an ugly woman. I guess I like him better as a man anyways. I guess he can't quit his day job. I'm trying to talk him into going to decadence fest. We'll see.

Her Big Catch!

Date Day

When Burke was accepted into Mother's Day Out two days a week I contemplated him going both days but then decided that on Thursdays when Adalyn is home we could have some special time together. So Date Day for us was born. So on Thursdays everything is pushed to the side for us to do something special. The first day we went to get doughnuts and ate on the bar. Something she loves to do.
So last Wednesday when I asked her what she wanted to do for date day she said fishing. Like we fish all the time. We hadn't been in a while and I can promise you I never have taken her alone. I don't unhook fish, at least I try not to do it by myself. So luckily reinforcements were available and ready to get crickets, put hooks on the pole, and do all the things associated with fishing that I really didn't want to do. Thanks PePaw. Well Adalyn caught three fish. Yes three and she independently caught one completely by herself. Hooked and reeled it in. All with a pretty pink fishing pole. Go girl!

Top Gun

OK so we are back in a top gun phase, only this time she watches the whole movie. Jeff and I have had several discussions on whether or not if it is an appropriate movie for a three year. Surely she doesn't get it, right? At this very moment she is in my bed cracking up while Tom is singing you lost that loving feeling. Seriously she thinks it is hysterical.
The other day we lost the movie and she had been obsessing for days where she put it. I happened to find it. She took off in a full speed to go show her daddy. She ran and gave him a huge hug for about five minutes. You would have thought she was just given a pony. She wouldn't have been any more excited. The girl is obsessed.

Training for Mt. Everest

Saturday night we put Burke in his bed as usual or so we thought. Both the kids were exhausted because we had been to the Jackson Zoo and Build A Bear with no naps. So exhausted kids don't seem to go straight to sleep. So anyways I left Burke restless in his bed thinking he would settle down and go to sleep. Right? Well of course not. Luckily I clicked on the monitor to see him on top of this bird noise machine trying to climb out of his crib. He isn't even officially eight months old. Come on give me one child that is not into everything, please!!! He is really on the move. Jeff took off upstairs to remove the birds so he hopefully will be delayed on an escape.
I must baby proof this house. He is also trying to climb up the stairs. It will be a miracle if we make it to a year without a major accident.

Eating Glass

Before you all start to gasp and think oh no what child ate glass you can breathe. Well a little easier anyways. Harvey decided that he would eat a glass jar of baby food. Jeff insists that he is ok and Harvey only crashed it on the floor to carefully lick the contents out, which was spaghetti, in case you are wondering. So after putting the kids to bed I walked downstairs to find this mess. If the glass doesn't kill him tonight he will definitely be put in timeout! Damn Dog! The jar was spotless.

On the Move

Burke is officially on the move. I have been in denial but he is out of control. Adalyn has had multiple lectures about leaving small parts on the floor. He really wants to walk and believes he can without assistance. I keep trying to take pics of him letting go of furniture and tumbling to the ground. He gets so angry that he can't walk on his own. It is quite a sight. Can't he just stay my baby.

Can you say abstract?

Adalyn was given an art easel for her birthday along with a huge pack of finger paint. One might who is the culprit that gave my child this present but I can only blame myself. I figure life is too short to worry about messes. Well I think that a little bit. Who else would let their child finger paint in the den next to an oriental rug. Maybe a stupid mom. Anyways she had a blast finger painting (until she dropped paint on the rug..whole other story). She is very serious about her artwork. She refuses to color in the lines because that's boring. This is a picture of a boat with a sail that went way in the air. She said it was very scary. As of now she is a budding abstract artist.

Happy Birthday Adalyn

Adalyn is officially three. She had a small gathering at Chucky Cheese this year. I just didn't have it in me this year to have a big party. No excuses, just wasn't up to it. I've been sick so it was a good thing. She had a few of her closest friends over for pizza and games. She had a blast. At the end of the evening she ended up on stage dancing with Chucky. I guess it is in her genes. She even pulled up a friend to shake it on stage with her. Pictures will follow. Overall it was a success and I don't think she noticed that it wasn't a huge production put on by Mommy. But I did tell her we will do something big next year.

Growing up!

Could he be any cuter!

Dare Deviels Required in this Family

So I walk outside to see this on the swingset. Yes this is my six month old baby swinging into the sky with his dad and sister. Lord help him.

!st Day of School

It was a success! No tears or drama. She loves her teacher and is learning how to write her name. Well kinda. We've had the spelling down for awhile but fine motor skills still need work. Way to go Adalyn. I am so glad you love school. Burke and I miss you tons, though.

Grocery Store Attire

Jeff was shocked that I really let her go to make groceries dressed like Alice. I figured lets pick our battles.

My prince finally found me and is here to save me from my parents!