New Year's Eve

Five years ago, Richard and I (and Richard's sister and a random, unimportant person, who was gracefully cropped out of the photo) traveled to NYC. New York City, for those of you who are still wondering about NYC.

We did the whole tour of the city and then crashed into Times Square for the evening.
Have you ever been?


Well, it isn't as fun as they make it seem on TV. It was freaking cold -- we took this photo before extremities started to go numb. Don't worry, we have photos of that too, you just don't get to see them. I won't ruin the rest for you incase you ever want to try it. You need the surprise of it to appreciate the event.

I would love to go back, but not for this occassion. I am too old to think this kind of thing is fun. We will make a trip of it when Rich runs the NYC Marathon...

So now, I am really missing central time - we could watch the ball drop (if we decided to, because it is totally not exciting anymore) and go to bed, 'Happy New Year!" an hour before it really happened in our time zone.

I certainly won't be staying up for the festivities. Sorry, Ryan Seacrest, I am not even going to DVR you!

Anyways, I am kind of sad that I won't get a New Year's kiss and all that jazz. But, I know I will have good luck because I am eating black eyed peas tomorrow.


Please refer to wikipedia for the low down on this tradition:


Black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day in the American South.


The traditional meal also features collard or mustard greens or cabbage. This is supposed to bring good luck and financial enrichment. The peas stand for good luck, the greens symbolize paper money. Cornbread also often accompanies this meal.





These "good luck" traditions date back to the U.S. Civil War. Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General William Tecumseh Sherman, would typically strip the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock and destroy whatever they couldn't carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and corn suitable only for animal fodder, and as a result didn't steal or destroy these humble foods. Many Southerners survived as a result of this mistake.

Twins

I received a book for Christmas.
I am reading and come across an interesting sentence, which I will paraphrase....

Children who are spaced less than 18-months apart equates to having twins.

There you go, honey. You always begged for me to do my part with the eggs. Looks like I did, and you just didn't realize it! (Oh, this is me talking to Rich. Obviously, you didn't say this to me! If you didn't know, twins run in my family. And they skip a generation, so maybe, just maybe I could produce some at the same time.)

There is more about this topic, but apparently I have to read a different book. I already screwed up the spacing, so the rest of the chapter is irrelevant. Sucks, because it is telling me the proper way to "decide to have another child."

I will let you know if this book is worth your time. I am still in the beginning!

Good Morning Mouse

We had to bring Mickey downstairs for breakfast this morning!

Well, only after we put Dino back to bed.

Shhhh, Dino's night night!

Daddy in training...

No, I did not stage this photo. He did this all his own. You can ask my mom.

Nothing but trouble....

I forgot...

to post pictures of the kids with the Christmas with my dad.
There weren't many good shots, but this is the best I have.

Note the rattle, bowling set and brain quest flashcards. Mere also got a bunch of clothes.

So much for Christmas Toys

My children were graced with many new things over the past weeks. Yet, they are still pleasured the most with everyday objects.

Yes, Lucas crawled into these things himself.

Christmas Eve

We traveled down to be with my family for Christmas.

On the drive, I look in the rearview mirror and see Lucas picking his nose for the first time.

Lucas found what he liked the most - Rice Krispie Treats. He pulled them off the table and helped himself. No one knew they fell on the floor.

Both kids received stuffed reindeer - Meredith got Clarice, and Lucas was given Rudolph. My mom claims to have paid 79 cents for each of them. Nuts.

My brother, Travis and I.

Lucas opened every gift with his mouth wide open saying "Wow" without the words. He was sooo cute.

Christmas is here...

My children are wonderful. They didn't forget about me for Christmas.

Mere thought it was important to stay up all night so we could have alone time, while Lucas was sleeping. She fussed and cried most of the night. And if I thought she was sleeping and I sat or laid down - she told me otherwise.

Lucas - he is amazing too. He has opened up two gifts that were under the tree - without my consent. Both were his, of course. He is a genius since he can read before two years old.

He also greeting me with screaming this morning. I always know it will be a good day when that happens!
But wait, there is more. He also greeted me with the diarreah surprise. What a wonderful way to spend the holidays.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to me!

When Richard and I married, we devised a budget of our spendings...In categorizing things, we made a column called "excess". Every few months, we look at the money and try to decide what we would most like to have. It just so happens that we end up getting things around certain key holidays. Through this, we have gotten things like a new fridge, a new camera, a new computer....

For our anniversary, I received the computer I am using right now. I am convienced it is a cheap way to say that I got something for occassions. But whatever....It works for us.

Richard thinks he should "receive" a new TV for Christmas. Funny, since ours isn't broken anymore and he isn't even here to watch it!

So, for Christmas this year, we decided that I would "receive" an elliptical. Richard picked out what one he wanted, and I ordered it. There was a huge fiasco with it - one that I will not get into - but after a month and a half, it has finally arrived!!

Unfortunately, my brother-in-law discouraged me from paying the extra money to have it delivered inside of the house. This freaking thing is heavy. I deliberated for a long time, before I finally accepted that I was not going to move it inside without lots of help. I certainly hope that the weight of the machine further confirms the quality.

I really hate asking people for help, but I had no choice since it is supposed to rain tomorrow. Melanie really is a lifesaver!

Cracker Barrel

When I was younger (yes, I am still young...but let's imagine me in high school...I was young!), I used to dream about getting a job at Cracker Barrel so I could get a cool apron with my name embroidered across the chest. My mom always thought that was a dumb reason to get a job somewhere... But there was something about that special brown apron, in combination with the hospitality and the southern food that kept me wanting....

Well, I no longer want!

Today, I received a beautiful, hand-made apron with my name across the chest, from Robyn, the craftiest person I know! It is a red paisley, with a denim colored square on the chest, with my name in great big captial letters. I am completely jealous of her talent and very honored to own one of her beautiful aprons! Don't ask me how she made time to make such an intricate thing, because her husband is in Iraq and her baby boy is now an independent, headstrong toddler. She is truly amazing!

Thank you so much!

Now, I have something to wear when I use my new flour sifter and immersion blender! Lucas wanted to try it on, so here he is modeling it for me....

Christmas with the Jones (and Wilsons)

On Sunday, we did our Christmas with my mother-in-law and father-in-law.

He received ornaments in his stocking. So he thought after putting those in the tree, that EVERYTHING in the stocking went in the tree.

Here he is putting tissues in the tree.

They gave Lucas a Little People Raceway. This thing is motorized, and spins the cars around the racetrack. Meredith thinks it is way cooler than her Laugh and Learn Shopping Cart that she received. They bought this in hopes of avoiding fights with the Lion. However, Lucas thinks the shopping cart is his as well.

Mere also got a glow-worm and a soft dollie. Here she is hugging her new doll.

Melanie and Derek joined us for a ham (Lucas called it "bock bock" - like a chicken, for some reason) with all the fixings, and a White Chocolate Candy Cane Cheesecake (which I made to have a little bit of Richard around- bc he LOVES Cheesecake). They gave Lucas a Little People Transfer Truck - which he carries his racecars in. Mere recieved a rolling Ducky toy to chase after.

Preparing to be a Daddy...

When Lucas is not being a terror, he is a very loving child. He was very gentle with he new cousin, Brianna.....While she was sleeping, he covered her with more blankies, and gave her kisses....

Christmas with the Wrights

On Saturday, my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and two neices came up to visit. We were doing our own Christmas. I cooked a whole chicken for the occassion since it is Amanda's favorite food. Well, that and frosted mini wheats....but that is a different story.

I had the pleasure of opening gifts for four people (since Rich and I had a joint gift, he is included). I have posted photos of the extravaganza - but just of my own kids since this is the Connaroe family blog.








They gave Lucas an awesome tricycle that is like a Big Wheel and motorcycle in one. It makes noise....horns, blinkers, radio with music and local weather reports. (It forecasted rain, and it is pouring buckets out right now! )





Lucas waits paitently, as Uncle Anthony (which he can say, by the way) puts together the bike!
Tavia is in the back opening gifts.











His feet cannot reach! Oh no!













Lucas decides to open up other gifts while he is waiting. We now own Bee Movie and Madagascar.








Finally!
















Lucas put a bow on Mere's head!

Meredith finds her gift!

She is playing with her Laugh and Learn Purse. This thing sings, and does numbers and letters. Lucas loves it just as much, putting lipstick on everyone!

Meeting Brianna

Meredith was able to "play" with her new cousin, Brianna, this weekend....She was very curious about the new baby - who was much more her size.
Brianna must have also had a paci that was way cooler because Mere snagged it out of her mouth!

Cupcakes...

Lucas has a Christmas Party at school tomorrow. I was the first parent to notice a sign-up sheet, so I had total control of what I was able to bring. I could have signed up for something as simple as plates and napkins. But no! Being the ambitious person I am, I sign up for freaking cupcakes.

I caught myself just now looking at various ways to decorate them for Christmas. I was about to decide between a snowman and a reindeer when I realized that 2 year olds do no care about whether or not food is aesthetically pleasing. He will appreciate that more in a year or so...maybe.

So, while I am waiting for the cupcakes to come out of the oven....there is some mom who is holding a glass of wine in a bubble bath because she signed up for carrot sticks.

Smiley

Christmas Time!

I have had a few requests for photos of my Christmas decorations.
I guess I am not cool enough to come visit....

Anyways, my decorations aren't that interesting. So I will post a picture of the tree. Meredith did a great job at helping me put it up. Lucas laid his hand at decorating a bit.

It has lost its interesting flair. The babies don't touch the ornaments or the tree anymore! Yay!

Hopefully, I will be able to score cool stockings after Christmas....

Yay for the bad economy!

I am proud of this, so I wanted to share...
There was an item that I mentioned to Richard that I wanted to get someone for Christmas. He says "That sounds great! Buy me one too!"

Strangest thing is that I saw it advertised at CVS. So I went online to price shop and saw that the item was the same price everywhere, and that CVS had free shipping. Not only that, but I got $10 off for ordering more than $40 dollars of merchandise. THEN another $10 for paying with a Mastercard. How fun! So I saved $10 per item with those promotions, I didn't have to take the time to actually go to CVS (lame, I know, since I go there at least once a week anyways).

Anywho, they arrived on my front porch today and are now wrapped and under the tree.

Something similar happened with other places as well - with free shipping and an additional 25% off my order. I love that these companies are trying so hard for a sale that they are offering free shipping. When we lived in Oklahoma, we always had to pay freaking shipping to send stuff back to Virginia!

Can you believe....

...Meredith is 8 months old today?
...cloudy days really do make purple mountains?
...Dixie thinks kiddie bathtime means "time to sleep on the couchtime"!
...I haven't watched General Hosptial in over two weeks?
...I was planning on finishing my Christmas shopping tomorrow, but there is a 90% chance of RAIN turning to ICE!
...both of my children are sleeping in their own beds?
...I am too sleepy to think of more questions?

Neither can I.

Shhh!

If you don't know, we are fighting off sickness again. Believe it or not, that does not prevent my children from fighting naptime! Lucas finally fell asleep sitting up today. *Notice the open mouth due to a stuffy nose....

Christmas Crafts

Our fabulous neighbors invited us over to complete some Christmas crafts to send to Daddy (SURPRISE!) Here is proof that Lucas did his own craft this time....(Last time, they were unsuccessful at getting Lucas to help!)

Dentist Update

Many have asked about the dentist....So here you go...

Lucas went to the dentist on Wednesday. Since we are paying for him to be on our insurance, we might as well get his teeth cleaned. I just hadn't made an appointment yet.

I stuck Meredith in the stroller and carried Lucas. He remembers the terror of the place - since he had his tooth repaired. He wouldn't even let me put him down to get his weight. I offered his poundage since we had just gone to the doctor (he's a whopping 22 pounds). I had to hold him in my lap, while they quizzed me about his diet, and so forth. Then I got to pick out his toothpaste flavor....And the screaming begins. Good for the hygenist lady because it is easier to clean teeth when the kid's mouth is wide open. I am an expert at holding Lucas down now, since I also had to do it at the doctor --- and he is super strong.

Then the dentist comes in. (You know, the one with the shoes I coveted...she didn't have them on this time). She checked Lucas' tooth that was repaired. It does have some staining, which is normal. Then comes floride. This time Lucas was smarter. He clamped his mouth closed instead of screaming wide open. Don't ask me how a kid can scream with his mouth closed, but I witnessed it. Then we were all done. It was the quickest trip to the dentist ever.

I had made an appointment to get their Christmas photo done, but I was totally nervous since Lucas had been fighting me all morning, and the only appointment was during naptime, AND it was pouring down rain. I would have had to change both of their outfits in the car - because I was totally not dressing them in the clothes in fear of getting something on it, and well, we were going to the dentist. I had even packed myself an outfit in case I needed to be in the photo too to get things done. But Lucas was cranky and sleepy, and well, I didn't take him. I drove him back to daycare, and then took Mere to get hers alone.

She did AMAZING. So amazing that I wanted all of the pictures, but that is a little ridiculous. I have never picked pictures out by myself, and it was super hard. And they will be back in a week! AND! they usually have a once a month limit per family, but I talked to the lady and since I was using a coupon for a $4 package, I could come back and get Lucas and Mere's done together without using a coupon.

So once we recover from being sick AGAIN, I will see if I can take them together....

BooBoo

Lucas is great at naming body parts. But he was also curious about the less visible ones.....So a while back, I had a talk with Richto see what we wanted to call particular "private" things.
We agreed that we are okay with him saying "Boob" or "Boobie".
Unfortunately, Lucas says "BooBoo"!

The other night he took a bra and kept repeating "BooBoo!" with it held up to the proper location on his chest.

I debated about incriminating him or not, but I decided it was too cute not to share...

Fun House

Now, I know you know that my house is a fun place to be.
My kids don't need toys to have a good time. I have tried to tell you all not to get them anything for Christmas because of this...
Everyday items are good enough for them!

Please visit www.youtube.com/devonrkc to see them LIVE!