Come on in and stay a while. Our beds are super-comfy!

That is Addison's philosophy with her babies. I commented before on how you are likely to find "babies" in "beds" all over this house. When we moved stuff out of her room to paint it, I found a wooden box that (normally) holds wooden beads and shoelaces for stringing full of little stuffed animals. She had a small blanket folded up to cover them. Then, this is what I found under a throw pillow on the couch this morning. And...I was scolded for moving the "toys" back into the playroom because "my Army babies are real sleepy, Mommy!"

By the way, we are always up for visitors and don't worry, Addi won't be finding a bed for you!

Doe a deer, a female deer

Addi and Libby enjoying The Sound of Music, better known as Maria Movie...at least at our house.

What's for supper?

And, yes, I do mean supper! I'm from Texas or maybe it's that I'm a Miller. We say supper, not dinner. I am only making this point because I've actually had people here in NC make comments about me using the word supper. Not mean comments, just comments. So, it isn't something I think I've thought about before, but I guess I say it because of one or both of the previously stated reasons! Bryan says it too and so does Addi, naturally!

Anyway, I came across this fabulous chili recipe about a year ago. I'm not really making it for supper tonight (no tonight will be leftovers because Bryan will be at a meeting), but might soon because it is super-delicious! I've made it exactly as it is written and I've also just used ground meat and even ground turkey. All 3 were great. Let me know if you make it and what you think.


Tyler's Texas Chili
Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence
Show:
Food 911
Episode:
Chili Roundup

3 dried ancho peppers, stemmed and seeded
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons whole coriander
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, chopped
3 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 canned chipotle chile, chopped
1/2 jalapeno pepper, chopped
2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, hand crushed
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons masa harina
1/2 tablet Mexican chocolate (about 1 1/2 ounces)
Grated queso fresco, for garnish
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Lime wedges, for garnish

In a small dry skillet over low heat add the ancho peppers, oregano, paprika, coriander, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until they begin to smell, about 2 minutes. Put the spices into a spice mill or food processor and grind until they are powdered. Set aside.
Heat a large heavy bottomed casserole over medium heat; add 3 tablespoons olive oil and the onions. Cook until the onions are soft and beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Pat the beef dry and season it with salt and pepper. Add it to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until it has browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the toasted spice mix, the garlic, chipotle, jalapeno, tomatoes, cinnamon stick, and sugar. Season with salt and stir well. Add some hot water until the meat is just covered with liquid. Return to the boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the meat and shred it with a fork. Return it to the pot, stir in the masa harina and chocolate, and cook for another 10 minutes, uncovered, to thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with the queso fresco, cilantro, and lime for garnish.

unrelated

I helped out in a 4 year-old class this morning at preschool instead of doing my usual science gig. At the end of the morning I overheard this exchange between two of the little boys.

[background: The class was drawing pictures of 3 nutritious foods.]
boy 1: I can eat a whole carrot in 10 seconds!
boy 2: Well, I can eat a apple slice in 4 minutes!

Which has nothing at all to do with what my 4 year-old is doing right now. Her room is still a work in progress, so she's sleeping in our room, which is also where the Pack and Play is set up for Logan to nap. Logan was almost asleep when I took Addi in for a nap. I told her to not look at Logan and go to sleep hoping both girls would sleep. I just put my ear to the door and heard Addi chattering away. So, I opened the door to see Addi huddled next to the Pack and Play holding up a book and reading it to Logan. I guess I could've gone in there to tell Addi to get to sleep, but they're being quiet and I'm in the middle of purging the playroom. I'd be crazy to risk "waking" them up :)

And I think I just heard a chorus of Amens from all the other Mommies!

a Sunday story (2)

Almost 2 years ago, while some dear friends who live in Texas were visiting, we went to eat at Outback Steakhouse. As I was planning my meal, I happened to read the words We only serve Blue Bell ice cream because it's rich, creamy and made the old fashioned way. I re-read it and sure enough, Outback was claiming to serve Blue Bell!

Could it be?! I gasped and could barely stay seated as I had everyone flip to the dessert menu. About that time, our waiter walked up and I could not contain myself. "You really serve Blue Bell?" I spat out at him. It took a minute for what I had just insanely screeched as my drink order to register, but he answered, "Yes, have you had that stuff? It's good!"

Have I had it? I grew up on it. I have vivid memories of my Mom/Dad handing me some money and making me buy a half gallon or two when they were on limited special at Kroger's. I was certainly raised an ice cream snob, but, honestly, all you Texans out there, does it get any better?

Bryan knew early on in our relationship the way to my heart was through my stomach. In fact, he took me to the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, TX the day he proposed to me. The funny thing was that we ran into my grandparents in the lobby before our tour. They had been in Houston and decided to take a tour which happened to be the same one we took. On our way from College Station to Brenham we passed by the Antique Rose Emporium in Independence. Bryan slyly suggested we stop by there on the way back. Little did I know that he had made his poor sister set up their gazebo and wait with all the stuff-needed-to-propose-to-your-girlfriend until we got back. And, y'all know how the proposal turned out. He knew what he was doing...fill my belly with Blue Bell and then pop the question! What girl could resist?!

Fast forward 5 1/2 years and we made this ill-informed decision to move to Raleigh, North Carolina. Actually, it has been a wonderful decision (with a few exceptions, namely being so far from loved ones). But, I say "ill-informed" because we had no idea until we got here that you could not buy even a spoonful of Blue Bell ice cream at the grocery stores. So, we tried every other brand and every variation of those brands...all horrible! And, then we just decided to have an ice cream-free home. That is, until we made that wonderful discovery at Outback. Before we left that night, we had all the information on purchasing a 3-gallon tub of Homemade Vanilla...yummy. Thanks to Outback I am proudly raising my girls to be ice cream snobs as well!

Cause she's just so darn cute!

That's MS. Parker to you!

Wow, the attitude a 4 year-old can show! Addi hasn't been feeling well...running fever all day. When I put her to bed tonight we exchanged this little dialogue.

me: I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well, Addi-Pie.

agp: Are you sorry you got on to me earlier?

And before that she wanted me to take a picture of her making this face.

She is only 4! I have no hope for 14!

Under Construction

Today was the day. We've had the paint for a month and the idea for longer, so this morning Bryan and I decided we would paint Addison's room. She was thrilled! We spent countless hours in the 10 days or so after we closed on this house, but before we moved, painting...all of it. We had wallpaper to remove, walls to Kilz and gallons and gallons of paint to splash on the walls. That was just over 2 years ago. But, Addi was just 2 and since then has gotten a new bed and has really cemented her personality...she just isn't a yellow person. Pink is more her shade. She is getting pink. We have painted the walls a pale pink and will paint stripes of a darker shade tomorrow. Our day reminded Bryan how much he does. not. like. to. paint. I, however, enjoy painting, especially when my children are asleep or are at the hardware store with Dad. I don't enjoy clean up. Addi and Libby both took a turn with a brush today. Shhh...don't tell the little one, but she didn't have any paint on her brush :) I took pictures of the room in various stages and will post them with the finished product tomorrow. For now, enjoy pics of the girls painting.

*Update - We did NOTHING to Addi's room today. It was raining and we decided the walls were not quite dry enough to risk what might happen if we taped and painted the stripes. We'll be back in there tomorrow night.

What Hurts?

So, Addi woke up this morning feeling fine...she said. We had a play-date at 10 and as it was coming to a close she began to weep. And I do mean weep. We left and by the time we got home, she seemed fine again. So, I pushed it and we ran to 2 stores...2 stores I have had on my list to go to all week...I had to go today! (Yes, I do feel a little guilty for dragging her around town!) By the time we started back home her cheeks were bright red. She was burning up! I gave her some Tylenol and put her to bed as soon as we walked in the door. She woke up 2 hours later with bright red cheeks. I asked her if she felt bad anywhere. She asked, "Why?" I told her that her cheeks were red. Instantly her face drooped and she sadly said, "Yes, my cheeks hurt." What drama!

I'm just a little sick

Addi came home from preschool and didn't want to eat lunch. Instead, she asked that I take her up to her room because she was sleepy. This is very unusual for her lately...she has really been fighting naptime. In fact, I had already told her that she didn't have to take a nap today because she had a new movie she wanted to watch. But, if there is anything I have learned in my 4+ years of being a mommy, it is to never argue with a child who asks to sleep!

She woke from her nap feeling better, but then decided she should probably lay down in the playroom while she watched her new movie. I just walked by and told her I hoped she wasn't sick because we are supposed to play with Isabelle in the morning. She said, "Oh, Mommy, I'm just a little sick. I have gas in my tummy, my nose is stuffy, and my ears hurt. We can still go to her house since I'm just a little sick."

Then she added, "But, we may need to go to the doctor before we go to Isabelle's house."

Well, that's reassuring...I guess.

Backfires

In the wee hours of this morning, my alarm went off. I turned over and hit snooze with a groan. I remembered my intentions last night. I remembered the list I wrote that included getting up early to work-out. I remembered how yucky I've been feeling because I've been failing at making time to exercise.

So...I got up. Bryan was already gone. He leaves the house all too early to work-out at his company's new fitness center. That meant some sort of home work-out was in store for me. Have you ever watched fitTV? Mornings like this were made for a work-out with fitTV.

But, who is that crying in her room? No, this is my morning! I didn't get up early to take care of someone else. I got up early to take care of me! Addi makes sure to be up before Bryan leaves and he fixes her cereal...couldn't be Addi. It's Libby. What in the world is she doing awake? I cannot let getting up early backfire on me! Libby is my late-sleeper...if I leave her alone, she's been known to sleep until 9. I decided she would be fine eating while I exercised. I got her up, changed her diaper and took her downstairs with me.

I asked her if she wanted an orange or a banana to eat with her Cheerios. She wouldn't respond. Maybe she wanted raisins or no fruit at all. I poured some cereal into a bowl and set it on the table with her cup of milk. She pushed the bowl away and made a shrieking sound. By now, it was about 1 minute until a new show was starting and I was feeling Oh-So-Selfish. I just want to get some exercise and now I won't be able to because you won't eat what I feed you every morning and if I miss the beginning of the show I won't get the full 30 minutes in and then the exercising is practically pointless and I can't do the next show because I have to get into the shower before Logan gets here and then I'll have to get everyone ready for preschool...
She pointed to the pantry door. Now, the child always eats Cheerios and fruit for me. On Saturday, my wonderful husband gets up with the girls and feeds her oatmeal. I opened the pantry, pull out the oatmeal and got an affirmative nod from my youngest. She wants oatmeal! I cannot do oatmeal. She just had a bath and she'll get it all in her hair if I let her feed herself. Obviously, I can't feed her because I am going to work-out! So, as much as I appreciate him feeding the kids on the weekends, this morning I did not appreciate that his feeding Libby oatmeal for breakfast backfired on me.

But, I had a solution. Addi loves to help me. She would surely think it was neat to feed her sister breakfast. After all, she loves to feed Logan a bottle. Well...except that one time...I was trying to change Libby's diaper and Logan needed to eat at the same time. Addi sat on the couch with Logan and fed her a bottle, but she wouldn't pay attention to what she was doing and kept letting the bottle fall out of poor Logan's mouth. Needless to say, Logan was screaming by the time I was finished with Libby and Addi was a little flustered. She still sweetly offered to keep feeding Logan if I needed to do something else, however, I said something like I would finish because I was the Mommy and it was my job. If only the words watch what you say had run through my mind before making that comment!
This morning when I asked Addi to feed Libby, she very sweetly said, "No, that's not my job. I'm not the mommy."...another backfire!

So, I guess my choices are:
1) Get up at 4 am to work-out
2) Forget exercise...I mean doesn't chasing your kids around all day count for something?!

And, since I'll be up late tonight watching the Aggies, I'm leaning toward the latter. Isn't blogging some sort of exercise?...maybe?


Addi and Libby exercising right along with fitTV. They love the channel!

Libby's 18 month stats

Libby turned 18 months old on Sunday. I have been meaning to post pictures, but all I have of this week involve her running around in nothing but Robeez. She's a hard one to get a picture of...maybe we'll get some made this weekend. It has been forever since I have actually paid for a picture of her! I'll have to dig out Addi's stats for when she was 18 months, but I'm fairly certain Libby is a little smaller than she was, at least as far as the weight percentile.

weight 23 pounds, 10 ounces (40th)
height 31 1/2 inches (46th)
head 18 3/4 inches (80th...my kids always have large heads!)

She is developing well and didn't shed a tear with either shot. Praise the Lord for my healthy little girl! She lights up our world.

a conversation

AGP: Mommy, sometimes you sound like a boy!
GP: Oh, good.
AGP: [giggle, giggle, giggle]
GP: Is that a compliment because I'm not taking it as one?!
AGP: [still giggling] No, it's not!

*In my defense, I've had a cold!!

Little Ginny?

I have learned in Addi's 4 years that little girls are very opinionated about what they wear. Addi is all-girl! She loves dresses (especially ones with enough flounce to twirl), jewelry, shoes, and accessories. She flips her hair, perfects dance moves, pretends to put on makeup, and changes clothes at least 4 times daily. I got it! In fact, I'm usually good enough that I grab just 2 outfits for her to pick from every morning. Until yesterday..."No, I don't want to wear a dress!", "But, Addi, you love dresses!", "I only love fish or rainbow dresses. I want to wear short pants (capris) and my boots and a vest!"...Great. That should look just great. This morning she was back to dresses, except none of the dresses that were hanging in her closet. Her second choice was a skirt. Only, not the cute little purple corduroy skirt with its matching sweater and tights. And not the adorable plaid one with pleats that goes with a long-sleeved pink shirt and has a matching bow. I mean, why would any little girly-girl want to wear one of those?! So, in desperation, I grabbed this, fully expecting another No. But, like any other female, she is full of surprises! My mom sent me this outfit a few months ago when my parents moved out of my childhood home. Apparently my dad bought it for me to wear to the hospital when he took me to meet my little brother. (Addi was so excited when she saw the 4T on the label) So, what do you think, Mom and Dad, is she the spittin' image of me?

a Sunday story (1)

I've been restless with this blog...been feeling it's in need of some re-vamping. Obviously, you say, why else would it look different every time I visit?! Just keeping things interesting for my many readers...or at least for you, grandkidless in irving and Nana!

So, on one of these stay-up-too-late-to-"work"-on-the-blog sessions, I added some links on the right with the title What We Miss Most about the Places We've Lived and had intentions of explaining one a week. This is the week...let the explaining begin...

Randomly, I am choosing Wayne's in Lawton, Oklahoma.

What is Wayne's, you may wonder? Well, I'll tell you. It is basically an aging Sonic without being a chain restaurant. It is located on Sheridan Road where it intersects with, man I can't think of the name of that road. I used to be on it all the time since the elementary school I taught at was nearby. It doesn't really matter since it is doubtful any of you will be visiting. I have to say Wayne's is better than Sonic. Wayne's is dependable...their tator tots always taste the same and their ice is always crushed perfectly, not too crunchy, not too soft. It wasn't that close to our home, although we lived in Lawton, so nothing was too far away. But, it was right down the road from where I worked. Too easy to stop in on my way home from a long day. I don't know that Bryan ever L-O-V-E-D Wayne's as I did. He doesn't get too excited about perfectly crunchy tots or good ice. And, then there was the incident with his truck. Maybe that is one reason I miss Wayne's...I wrecked Bryan's beloved truck there. It is a place reminiscent of panic and anxiety and, finally how I was able to get the truck fixed without Bryan ever knowing about the mishap.

When Addison was 4 months old, Bryan deployed to Iraq. I was driving a 2-door car and he had a monster truck. Not literally one of those trucks with the gigantic wheels on them, just a big, extended cab Z-71...a good Texas truck! While it didn't have traditional 4 doors, the "doors" to the backseat did open, so it was easier to get an infant car seat in and out of than my little car. I've explained all that to justify the thousands of miles I put on his truck while he was riding around in Humvees. One HOT day, I loaded up baby Addi and set off...probably to the mall - shopping is therapy when your husband is deployed. Wayne's is on the way to the mall, so I thought I'd shoot in for a yummy Dr. Pepper (with good ice). I'm not sure exactly what happened, but the next thing I knew I was scraping the side of his truck down the little tray that sits under the menu (think old Sonics). In fact, Scrape might be a little bit of an understatement as there was an actual dent along with the streaks of missing paint.

Oh, the terror! I sat there for a minute trying to figure out what to do. I couldn't go forward since there was a car in front of me and I couldn't back out without running the side back down the menu tray. I finally did the only thing I could, backed up making the "blemish" even worse. I went straight home in a panic. I called a friend who had recently wrecked her Suburban while at the car wash the night before her husband returned home. Shelly would know what to do! Shelly's advice...NEVER tell him! And, I almost never did. I had the truck fixed and Bryan came home in complete Bliss! Although, I did tell Bryan about the whole thing a year or so ago. He was pretty amazed that I had been able to keep that secret from him for so long.

It's been a while

but I knew I could rely on Blogger! What in the world is going on with my last post. Very rarely am I positive about anything...especially anything to do with computers. However, I know I did not format that post to look like that. Please excuse it and hopefully the next time I post, it will look like I want it to!

By the way, it does look normal to me when I preview it and believe me, I preview and preview and preview again when I am posting. One of the rather annoying OCD things about me is how long it takes me to post something. I mean, does it really matter? Are there people who are going to comment on a grammatical error or worse, like me less because they have to scroll for 2 minutes to get through the huge blank space between pictures?! I know it doesn't matter, so I am turning over a new leaf...with this post. I will not re-read or preview it! Here goes...

Okay, I have to re-read it :) But, not one preview!

THE Birthday Party

Libby went to her first birthday party today that wasn't a family member or one she was invited to only because Addi was invited. It was for some friends from preschool, Adam and Tiergan who both turned 2 yesterday. She had a good time eating and playing and I had a good time being able to devote all of my attention to her. I took pictures like she was my first child :)...but I won't subject you to all of them.










Libby with Isabella, Wahalyn, Nakoah, (little bit of) Tiergan, and Makierah. Isabella, Tiergan, and Nakoah are all in her preschool class. When we got to the party, she pulled me to each of her friends, gave them a hug and then just stood and smiled at them.




































Libby loves to eat. She takes her time and makes a mess. She was the last one to finish eating her pizza and her cupcake and ice cream.

It didn't bother her one bit that everyone had finished and had gone off to play as she continued to eat!




























She loved the fire truck. She loved climbing on it, driving it, walking around it, and especially carrying the fire fighter's hat around!













Still has the hat :)


















Dropped the hat to go "borrow" some kid's train!


































Most of our time was spent at the grocery store. After we finally got rid of the hat, she had a grocery cart with her everywhere she went :)

















WATER! What kid doesn't love water! I couldn't get her away from it when we were here for Addi's birthday party. Today though, she was super frustrated with the smock, so we didn't stick around long. If only I had figured that out on our first visit... :)

We like to refer to her as Addison Wie

While Bryan was practicing



Addi wanted to join in.



She then demoted herself to Caddy-in-Charge-of-Ball-Placement and told Bryan, "I'll just move them a little closer, so it's easier for you!"

Happy Valentines Day

Our day started getting ready for preschool. I did not work today because of all the festivities...who wants to actually learn on Valentines Day?! So, as I was drying my hair I realized I would have a couple hours to myself. Well, basically to myself...I would have Logan, but going from toting around 3 kids to 1 is...well, better than just yourself! (On the occasion when I do get to go somewhere competely alone, I am a flubbering idiot! Can't remember a thing and I feel so akward not worrying about anyone but myself!) All I could think of was that I wanted to go to the mall. Before I could do that I had to take the girls to preschool. Libby's class had a little show and breakfast for parents. I hung around for that and I'm so sorry I have no pictures of it. I rememberred my camera and I even took pictures...of nothing! I was trying to feed Logan with one hand while my free hand held, aimed, zoomed, and shot! The one picture I got of her where she is actually looking at the camera has a little boy's face in front of hers, which just might have freaked some of y'all out! I did, however, get some shots of all 3 girls after lunch today.





And, here they are in all their red and pink beauty!








The star of the breakfast show!






I got to the mall and had about 2 hours to shop! What did I buy? A white shirt, some new brown shoes (so needed these since my Target ones hurt my feet after about 15 minutes and they were on sale!) and (no surprise) stuff for the kids! I stopped by McDonalds on my way to pick up the girls. That was surely the highlight of their day. We are having a special dinner, but I don't think they will like any of it, except dessert. Maybe they'll forgive me since they had a special lunch :)




Libby loves to laugh at Addi and Addi loves to make Libby laugh!

Logan was just relieved that Libby was not sitting close enough to torment her anymore :)


While shopping I was painfully aware of something I do and I wonder if it is rude or if everyone does it. I always look at the price of something before I even pick it up to try on, which stores make difficult since the tags are always neatly tucked into the clothing. I feel embarrased and cheap digging my hand down the waist of a pair of pants and then blatently pulling out the tag while trying not to appear shocked that "they want $70 for a pair of jeans!" I would prefer to think I am just sensible. What do you think...rude or sensible?






Addi is actually posing in this picture. She said, "Wait! Take one with my legs like this!"





I did leave the mall in such a good mood. I don't know if it was the shopping, the fact that I was going to get my girls, or that it is Valentines Day (which since having kids...uhmm, I mean, meeting Bryan has become one of my favorite holidays). Whatever it was, I hope you feel just as happy this Valentines Day as I do.




You can't tell, but Libby Lu was laughing at herself...something she also loves to do!







May I introduce you to Logan, the baby I keep all week. She is almost 6 months old. She is precious and my girls adore her.

Oh My Darling

Libby Lu has a new love: Clementines! She begs for them and will eat one after another, if I let her. I bought her a 3 pound bag today and it could possibly be gone tomorrow...Happy Valentines Day to her!

Miss Rachel Ryan

is here! Bryan's sister, Lisa had Rachel this morning and both baby and mom are doing well. She is a healthy 9 1/2 pounds (or "9-8" as Bryan prefers saying - if you're an Aggie or Aggie parent you'll get that one - if not, it would probably sound too ridiculous to explain :) We are waiting for the happy father, Clay to post pictures on here. Congratulations Lisa, Clay, and big brother, Ethan! Addi wants to tell the Starr family (of 4!) that she loves them and she misses them, and she can't wait to see her new baby girl cousin, Rachel.

Build a Bear...Or a Dog, Or a Cat

Some friends wanted to take the girls to Build-A-Bear for their Christmas present. We went on Sunday and a great time was had by all. Addi quickly chose a pink kitty-cat and Mom and Dad quickly chose a (washable) dog for Libby.


Picking out a heart; Addi picked one that said "I Love You", so, naturally Libby picked the same heart!

Next, came stuffing the animals. Addi went first and Libby couldn't hardly wait to step on that pedal after she saw Addi doing it!












Bryan and Addi helped Libby bathe her dog. This bathing inspired Addi to use real soap and water to bathe her cat when we got home :)





Libby would have been perfectly happy to take this one home, as long as the stroller came with it!

The perfect shoes...these are gold and silver sandals with a small heel!

Addi took a while to pick out a name. She decided on Katey Kitty Parker. When it was time to name Libby's dog, we used Addi's second favorite name, Betty.

Libby with Betty the dog






Addi with Katey Kitty

The Chair

Addi has spent many hours reading books and watching movies while sitting in an adorable little chair that her Nana and Poppa got her for Christmas one year. Libby is now big enough to get herself into the chair and (for the time being) both girls can sit side-by-side in it. So, if we are home and the girls are awake, chances are the chair is being used.

It has been so cold here that we've been bringing Zoe in at night and making her sleep in the garage. It is a challenge every night as our usually so obedient and submissive dog hides out in the yard while we go hoarse calling her name. So, a few nights ago, I was feeling badly for her and decided I would let her sleep in the house for the night - instead of the chilly garage. After all, that "acting out" phase was so long ago. [Backgound: She lived in this house for a year or so after we moved in because we didn't have a fence. She pouted for that entire time because she wanted to go outside all the time and then started "acting out" at night and when we left. So, we had to start putting her in the garage anytime we left or at night to sleep.] I woke up the next morning without finding any chewed up toys or surprise "accidents". "Wonderful", I thought. "Allowing her to sleep in the house at night will surely assuage my guilt and knowing I don't have to worry about her behavior will allow me to sleep."

Then, last night, I walked back downstairs to turn out the lights and found her curled up in the aforementioned chair. Granted, she loves our girls and the chair is probably crawling with their scent, but we would like to keep it that way-bath times are too few and far between for Zoe :) After 5 minutes of coaxing, she crawled out of the chair. After 5 more minutes of getting scratched behind her ears, she followed me to the garage and only slightly hesitated before climbing the steps down to her cold concrete bed.

Thank You (+ a kiss)

Little Reagan (that is...Libby) has learned a new sign...thank you. For all you non-sign-language folks, it looks a little like this:

However, Reagan likes to add a kiss to hers! Even if she just hears someone else say "Thank you", she will blow a kiss! It is very cute and very sweet. I thought all of our loved ones far away from us (who will probably not get a chance to see her sign thank you "incorrectly") would enjoy knowing this little thing about her. I wish I could get a picture of her doing it, but you have to be lightning fast to get a good picture of her :) She is constant motion! For instance, I tried to snap a picture of her today while she was under the kitchen curtains looking out at the snow. This is the best I got:

And, yes, that is her under the curtains, or at least that is the back half of her :)

Snow Day Treat

So, we had another day in the house watching the snowflakes fall. It was beautiful and only snow...no ice to wreck havoc! I made brownies this morning and the girls and I tested them out after lunch. Apparently, Miss Libby Lu really enjoyed her brownie :)