Papa and Grandma McD are here and have turned our living room into Toys R Us....
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3 hours ago
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas 2010
A couple of days before Christmas I took Javen to get a hair cut. We came home with a faux hawk, and he was SO excited about it.
Did I mention he's entered the "I want to dress myself" phase? Just thought I'd throw that out there in case you thought my sense of fashion went out the window. The outfit was completed by blue jeans and snow boots. I didn't argue. At least this time everything was right side out and not backwards.
Also, this is the face I get when I ask for a smile. Awesome.
Santa came!
Christmas morning this year was SO fun. Javen opened everyone's presents. Liam chewed on bows and climbed boxes and pushed them around the living room. The boys big gift this year was a Hummer and it was a HUGE hit! (My big gift to Jake and his to me was our new floors and rug.)
And the present he'd been waiting for: Mr. Potato Head!
My First Christmas!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Santa Take II
Last weekend we decided to have a fun Saturday morning treat and go get some donuts. We ran into Jolly Saint Nick who was ready to welcome Javen with a "candy umbrella." Javen told him about Mr.Potato head and was happy to chat about Christmas for a few minutes.
Since Liam wasn't too crazy about the big guy in the red coat last time, we decided to let him stay on Daddy's lap for a photo. At this point, Javen was completely focused on his candy cane. Liam didn't get upset about his proximity to Santa, but definitely kept an eye on him the whole time.
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| I've got my eye on you, Santa. Watch it! |
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Christmas Card 2010
Sneak peek of our Christmas card this year...
Merry Christmas from the McD family!
Merry Christmas from the McD family!
With Love Blue Christmas 5x7 folded card
Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.
View the entire collection of cards.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Hi
This month life has sped up by 10x. I don't know why! Anyway...a million funny things happen about every hour of every day and I think to myself "I should blog about this" and then before I know it a week has gone by and I have yet to sit down at the computer.
Sorry about that.
A collection of random thoughts:
Javen had an accident the other day. This is rare. (THANK THE LORD!) However, he happened to be standing by the Christmas tree and the tree skirt took the brunt of the accident, leaving it pee soaked. It's not exactly a washable material. I think we may be in the market for a new tree skirt...
Liam can walk but he doesn't know it.
Javen has developed the thickest little southern accent and I can't figure out why?! Jake and I don't have one. (Note to self: Get Javen talking on video.) The most southern words are:
I gave Liam his rice in a bowl last night, handed him a spoon and let him at it. Here's how it went down:
This morning was Javen's preschool Christmas party. I had baked our contribution to the party brunch last night, wrapped the presents for his friends and had everything packed up and everyone bundled up to get in the car. We were loading up a little early so we could pick up our neighbors down the street and head to this week's location for school.
Side note: We do a home school type pre-school once a week. Very informal. Three Mom's, three 2 year olds and three almost 1 year olds. We rotate houses every week.
So, we're outside getting in the mini van. It won't start. Dead to the freezing world. Poor van. It's from Florida, so it's probably freaking out over these sub zero temps. My neighbors come over to my house and we try to get a hold of our friend that lives 20 min away. Only she's having a crazy morning herself. One of the buildings in her apartment complex is on fire. There are fire trucks everywhere and the parking lot has iced over. It takes her an hour to get here. (Her building is safe from the fire.)
The best thing about our late start is now that everyone has gone home it's nap time and my boys are WORN OUT. (Hence me being able to actually sit down and blog.)
A few photos from all the cuteness this morning? Sure, why not!?
Sorry about that.
A collection of random thoughts:
Javen had an accident the other day. This is rare. (THANK THE LORD!) However, he happened to be standing by the Christmas tree and the tree skirt took the brunt of the accident, leaving it pee soaked. It's not exactly a washable material. I think we may be in the market for a new tree skirt...
Liam can walk but he doesn't know it.
Javen has developed the thickest little southern accent and I can't figure out why?! Jake and I don't have one. (Note to self: Get Javen talking on video.) The most southern words are:
Hey-yelp (help)
heel (hill)
Wheel (Will...his buddy)
en thar (in there)
I gave Liam his rice in a bowl last night, handed him a spoon and let him at it. Here's how it went down:
This morning was Javen's preschool Christmas party. I had baked our contribution to the party brunch last night, wrapped the presents for his friends and had everything packed up and everyone bundled up to get in the car. We were loading up a little early so we could pick up our neighbors down the street and head to this week's location for school.
Side note: We do a home school type pre-school once a week. Very informal. Three Mom's, three 2 year olds and three almost 1 year olds. We rotate houses every week.
So, we're outside getting in the mini van. It won't start. Dead to the freezing world. Poor van. It's from Florida, so it's probably freaking out over these sub zero temps. My neighbors come over to my house and we try to get a hold of our friend that lives 20 min away. Only she's having a crazy morning herself. One of the buildings in her apartment complex is on fire. There are fire trucks everywhere and the parking lot has iced over. It takes her an hour to get here. (Her building is safe from the fire.)
The best thing about our late start is now that everyone has gone home it's nap time and my boys are WORN OUT. (Hence me being able to actually sit down and blog.)
A few photos from all the cuteness this morning? Sure, why not!?
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| Probably planning to take over the world some day... |
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| Javen and T playing in the tupperware cabinet |
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| Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and blowing out candles |
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sweet Dreams/Hey Santa!
We are having the best weekend.
Last night we tried to go see Santa at the mall after Jake got off work, but the line was soooooo long. Instead, we stood by the "Meet Santa" exit and Javen yelled "Hey Santa! I want pweasents for Chwismas! And Mr. Tato Head! (Mr. Potato Head) Hey Santa! Mewwy Chwismas!" Liam just pointed at everything and jabbered on excitedly.
On the way out of the mall we passed one of those chocolate Christmas candy kiosks where they were handing out free samples. Javen got a chocolate lollipop, but never got to finish it...
This morning we ran a couple errands and then decided to swing by the library....and I'm SO glad we did! Santa and the Mrs. were there for pictures. He wanted to know what the boys wanted for Christmas and she handed out candy canes. (Or as Javen calls them "Candy Umbrellas.") They had different stations for face painting, letters to Santa, balloons and quite the cookie and juice spread...all for FREE!
Even Liam got in on the face painting action...
Would you believe this was the ONE day I leave the house without my camera?! I was SO mad! Jake even forgot his phone (which has a pretty good camera on it for a phone) so we were left with my sub-par camera phone for the Santa photo-op. Poor Liam had missed his morning nap, and was a happy camper as long as Mama was holding him.
Sorry Santa! Nothing personal!
Despite the poor photo quality, I LOVE this picture. Could it be any funnier?
Last night we tried to go see Santa at the mall after Jake got off work, but the line was soooooo long. Instead, we stood by the "Meet Santa" exit and Javen yelled "Hey Santa! I want pweasents for Chwismas! And Mr. Tato Head! (Mr. Potato Head) Hey Santa! Mewwy Chwismas!" Liam just pointed at everything and jabbered on excitedly.
On the way out of the mall we passed one of those chocolate Christmas candy kiosks where they were handing out free samples. Javen got a chocolate lollipop, but never got to finish it...
Even Liam got in on the face painting action...
Would you believe this was the ONE day I leave the house without my camera?! I was SO mad! Jake even forgot his phone (which has a pretty good camera on it for a phone) so we were left with my sub-par camera phone for the Santa photo-op. Poor Liam had missed his morning nap, and was a happy camper as long as Mama was holding him.
Sorry Santa! Nothing personal!
Despite the poor photo quality, I LOVE this picture. Could it be any funnier?
Friday, December 3, 2010
Kitchen Disasters Part II
Yesterday I decided to make some Christmas cookies. I'd been promising Javen for over a week that we should make them together. After a little PW search I found these.
Here's a list of what went wrong:
1. The recipe calls for shortening (yuck) which I never use. My Granny gave me most of the contents of her pantry when I moved to TN a little over 5 years ago and I inherited the largest container of Crisco known to man. Don't ask me why I've kept it all these years. (Granny, I guess that's a bit of you coming out in me? Holding on to pantry goods forever? Haha) Anyway, did you know that shortening can expire!? It's possible! It turns into this petroleum smelling super glue like substance. So yes, apparently shortening can be even more disgusting than it already is.
That should have been my first clue to quit while I was ahead. I substituted butter for the shortening and moved on to the next step...
2. Lemon zest. This is where I proceeded to zest my fingers off. (Slight exaggeration.) Only 2 fingers....and really one finger was only a nick. The other finger got the brunt of the zester. (Note to self: pitch zester.) I knew it was bad before I even looked down to see my blood dripping on the counter. My head started spinning, my body started shaking and I felt immediately drained of all energy. I thought I was going to pass out, so I sat down on the floor and texted my friend Erin, and called Jake. Somewhere in the midst of all this I managed to grab a couple paper towels and apply pressure to my throbbing finger. Javen (who was helping in the baking process) abandoned ship and went in the living room to play trains. Long story short, we deducted stitches were not in order for me to keep my finger and I pressed on with the cookies despite the pain.
I realize I may sound a bit dramatic about my reaction to this injury. I'm normally not such a wuss, but this gash just shook me to the core. I guess I zested a pretty deep wound as my finger is purple today...moving on.
3. Liam woke up from his nap and the boys played while I had my back turned and all attention on rolling out dough and cutting Christmas shapes. They simply destroy the house. Every toy they own is on the living room floor. The contents of my tupperware cabinet are strewn about the kitchen. Lunch crumbs are tossed about. My house has never looked so bad. But they're entertaining themselves so I do my best to take advantage.
Here's a list of what went wrong:
1. The recipe calls for shortening (yuck) which I never use. My Granny gave me most of the contents of her pantry when I moved to TN a little over 5 years ago and I inherited the largest container of Crisco known to man. Don't ask me why I've kept it all these years. (Granny, I guess that's a bit of you coming out in me? Holding on to pantry goods forever? Haha) Anyway, did you know that shortening can expire!? It's possible! It turns into this petroleum smelling super glue like substance. So yes, apparently shortening can be even more disgusting than it already is.
That should have been my first clue to quit while I was ahead. I substituted butter for the shortening and moved on to the next step...
2. Lemon zest. This is where I proceeded to zest my fingers off. (Slight exaggeration.) Only 2 fingers....and really one finger was only a nick. The other finger got the brunt of the zester. (Note to self: pitch zester.) I knew it was bad before I even looked down to see my blood dripping on the counter. My head started spinning, my body started shaking and I felt immediately drained of all energy. I thought I was going to pass out, so I sat down on the floor and texted my friend Erin, and called Jake. Somewhere in the midst of all this I managed to grab a couple paper towels and apply pressure to my throbbing finger. Javen (who was helping in the baking process) abandoned ship and went in the living room to play trains. Long story short, we deducted stitches were not in order for me to keep my finger and I pressed on with the cookies despite the pain.
I realize I may sound a bit dramatic about my reaction to this injury. I'm normally not such a wuss, but this gash just shook me to the core. I guess I zested a pretty deep wound as my finger is purple today...moving on.
3. Liam woke up from his nap and the boys played while I had my back turned and all attention on rolling out dough and cutting Christmas shapes. They simply destroy the house. Every toy they own is on the living room floor. The contents of my tupperware cabinet are strewn about the kitchen. Lunch crumbs are tossed about. My house has never looked so bad. But they're entertaining themselves so I do my best to take advantage.
Side note: See the floors? If you squint and tilt your head just right you can make it out underneath all those toys. Gross carpet is gone!
The cookies are finally in the oven and I step back to further survey the damage.
Yikes. Notice the open empty cabinet? That's where the tupperware belongs. Yes, the laptop is essential for baking. Pandora and the PW Cooks website.
A few things about the above photo:
1. Apple juice is not part of the recipe for cookies. It is part of the recipe for happy, hydrated children.
2. Empty glass pickle and other assorted jars are for a Christmas project in the works.
3. I just bought that rolling pin two days ago. Before the rolling pin I'd used a round glass cup. For 5 years. I'm like a bonafide baker now, right?
4. The recipe only yielded about 18 cookies. I should have doubled it. Also, maybe it's due to how much I resent these cookies for causing me to (nearly) lose a finger and destroy the cleanliness of my house, but I just don't think they taste that great. At least...not great enough to warrant the mess I had to clean up.
Next time, I'm marching myself right down to Kroger, picking up a roll of pre-made sugar cookie dough and poppin' those suckers in the oven.
It just goes to prove what I've always known about desserts: If it doesn't involve chocolate, it's not worth the time, effort and calories.
Amen.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Kitchen Disasters: Part I
I'm still here. I don't know why, but it's been so difficult to find time to blog lately! This week has been typical in that no day is typical.
On Monday night Jake inadvertantly tried to make fried calamari. Yes, you read that correctly.
I had mentioned to him that I wanted to wash the boys bath toys, so after baths that night Jake brought their toys downstairs and tried to find room for them in our already full dishwasher. Finding no room on the top rack he placed them on the bottom, programed the dishwasher to start in 4 hours, then he went upstairs to shower and go to bed.
When I run the dishwasher I always turn the heated dry cycle off. It saves energy which equals saved money. Jake doesn't know about this little habit of mine, thus the fate of Mr. Ocotpus becoming the late night special.
He landed on the heat coil and Jake actually had to cut him off as the plastic had hardened around the coil.
Upon opening the dishwasher the next morning, I found smoke stained cutlery and a stinky kitchen. I had to run two vinegar cycles to get the smell out of the washer and off the dishes and have had to hand polish/scrub about every fork, knife and spoon we own.
Never a dull moment.
Seafood, anyone?
On Monday night Jake inadvertantly tried to make fried calamari. Yes, you read that correctly.
I had mentioned to him that I wanted to wash the boys bath toys, so after baths that night Jake brought their toys downstairs and tried to find room for them in our already full dishwasher. Finding no room on the top rack he placed them on the bottom, programed the dishwasher to start in 4 hours, then he went upstairs to shower and go to bed.
When I run the dishwasher I always turn the heated dry cycle off. It saves energy which equals saved money. Jake doesn't know about this little habit of mine, thus the fate of Mr. Ocotpus becoming the late night special.
Never a dull moment.
Seafood, anyone?
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