2-Mama and George come to visit

My Mom (2-Mama) and George came today to visit before they headed back to Ohio. Caroline had a really good time playing with them. Caroline especially enjoyed playing beauty shop with me and Mom.



My bill was only $43 and Mom's was more at $55. I guess 2-Mama needed more make-up!

Deceptively Delicious

I watched the OPRAH episode a few weeks ago when Jessica Seinfeld was promoting her cookbook, Deceptively Delicious. She made this book after figuring out that she would have to hide vegetables in her children's food in order for them to eat their vegetables.

Caroline has always been a great eater, but Cooper is a different story. Although he is obviously not malnurished, it still bothers me that he only eats chicken nuggets, fish sticks and tater tots. He loves fruit, but will not touch a vegetable.

So, I bought the book over the weekend and figured that I would try the brownies first. The recipe called for pureed spinach and carrots. (You steam them first, them puree them in a food processor.)

They turned out pretty good. They definitely don't have the cakey look of a regular brownie, but the kids didn't seem to mind. I think the recipe needs to be a little sweeter, so I may try adding a little Splenda to it the next time. I had to chuckle watching Cooper down two brownies!


I think she likes them!

Cooper Working on his Names

While we were visiting family over Thanksgiving, I was working with Cooper on all of the family members names. He was doing really well, until he got stuck on Davis' name.


This is probably wrong to post, but it is too darn funny NOT to share it. You be the judge and listen to what it sounds like....

Fun and Games on Thanksgiving!

We had a great time at Brooke and Michael's house on Thanksgiving. What a great family! They had a house full, and all had a great time. Thanks again to them for being such a great host and hostess!

The turkey was delicious this year. They finally got it down to a science!


Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without a game of poker!


Scott whooping "Schmoo" at a game of boxing on the Wii

A Game of Scrabble


Annette beating up on Ryan

At Gram and Grand-Bob's

Caroline has been asking to get her nails painted, so Gram happily abliged. She wanted brown paint, but settled for hot pink.



So Proud!


This morning, the kids fought over Gram's chair to read their books.

Little Anthony

I got into Columbus last night and got to hold Little Anthony for a little bit before bedtime. Very cute and very small! It is crazy how soon you forget how small a newborn is!

These pictures are for Sally! Na! Na! I got to hold him before you! :)

Bandit Update

Bandit was improving slowly this week, but the vet still thought that his problems could be worse. We OK'ed the ultrasound and heard the worst outcome that we suspected. His liver is eaten up with cancer.

We have exhausted our efforts and will have to do the unevitable. Unfortunately, Scott and I both made plans to be out of town this weekend months ago. I am in Ohio visiting my friends, Mary and Jenny. Scott is on his way to the Green Bay Packers game in WI. The news couldn't have happened at a worse time.

I know he is just a dog in some eyes, but he is part of our family.

Get Well Bandit!

Bandit, our first "baby", has been acting weird lately. Scott picked him up the other day and he yelped. Then, when Scott got home yesterday, Bandit had gotten sick in his bed. (I will skip the details.) He was pitiful. So, Scott took him to the vet this morning and the vet seems to think he has pancreatitis, probably from eating something that he shouldn't. The vet said his bloodwork was the worst she had ever seen.




Although Bandit is getting pretty old, we don't want to give up on him too soon. He is going to stay at the vet for a few days to see if he can shake this thing and feel better.

Working on his C's

Cooper is talking up a storm, but is still working on some letters. He can't say words that start with "P" yet. We are working on his name right now.

Getting ready for bed

I caught the kids sitting on the stairs together tonight having their milk and cookies.

Then, it's off to the nighttime reading. The Wal-Mart wish book came in the mail today. Cooper caught a glimpse of some Thomas paraphenalia and that kept him occupied until bedtime.

Congrats Mary and Marc!

Welcome Baby Varckette! His name is officially ANTHONY GIOVANNI VARCKETTE! (Yes, Italian.) Mary gave birth to an ADORABLE baby boy on Sunday! This little angel is adorable. If I didn't already have the cutest son in the world, I would tell you that this boy is! I can't wait to hold him when I come up to Ohio next week!

More Tweetsie Picture

Tweetsie Railroad!

We went to Tweetsie Railroad today to take Cooper on his first ride on a REAL train. For those of you who are not familiar with Tweetsie, it is a wild-west theme park in Blowing Rock, NC that has rides, a petting zoo, shops, shows and a train called "Tweetsie" that rides through the middle of it.

TICKETS: $79.00

FOOD & DRINKS: $30.00

SOUVENIERS: $50.00

SEEING THE JOY IN YOUR CHILD'S FACE WHEN HE HEARS HIS FIRST TRAIN WHISTLE:

PRICELESS!

Dr. Caroline

I went to visit my friend, Wendy, this weekend and let Caroline and her daughter, Macy, play while we caught up. They were too quiet all of a sudden and looked to see what they were doing. This is what I found: