Buttercream Black and White Beauty

Just trying out a new black and white conversion action. I used to really love black and white, then I started getting more fond of really bright, sharp color. So, now I have to do pictures both ways. I can't stand to only do black and white, but I did think this conversion turned out nice.

You Are My Sunshine

Doesn't she look like an angel with the sun in her hair?

You'd never know that these pictures were taken while Chloe was wielding an automatic nerf weapon, would you?

I choose to just remember her as an angel with the sun in her hair.

Goodbye Old Friend

 Chloe said goodbye to some dear old friends this weekend. We have been meaning to make her say this goodbye for quite a while, but she has been so distraught everytime we suggested that we kept putting it off. Well, we went to the dentist on Thursday and Dr. Clinard kindly suggested that it would be better if the goodbye came sooner than later. We asked that she pass this message along to Chloe (since we like to let medical professionals do our dirty work) and then that was it. We took it cold turkey that moment. She was a little upset, but nothing like I thought she would be. She asked for it a few times and whined a little at naptime. But, she's been fine ever since.

The only problem we've really had is that although she is not crying for it or asking for it at bedtime, she doesn't seem able to go to sleep. She seems afraid and so we've had some long nights. I'm hoping that passes soon!

It was definitely time (past time to be truthful), but still it is a major milestone. Paci has been a good friend to Chloe and provided lots of comfort. I still remember how big they looked on her tiny little face when she was a baby (in contrast to how small they looked on her big girl face). And how the vanilla scented ones mixed with her milk and made her face smell like a vanilla milkshake. What a delicious little scent!

Goodbye old friend! You will be remembered fondly.

Some Days You Gotta Dance!

Don't worry, Evan is not having a seizure. He is "Just Dancing". He has been begging me forever to video him and send it to his teacher. Well, I was a little worried that he might be disappointed when he actually saw himself on video. I thought he might realize that he didn't look quite as coordinated, graceful, and cool in real life as he feels like he does when he's dancing. He was thrilled with his performance, however. At one point toward the end, he said, "That's the part I have trouble with, but I got it this time!" Gotta love the confidence that goes along with being 5.

There was one part in the video he was disappointed in, however. At the end when I say, "Yay!". His response: Big eye roll and "Mooom, did you have to say that?!"

I guess your mom saying "yay" is so not cool in kindergarten. Geez! What was I thinking?

Evanisms- Furture Salesman Version

"Dad, do you ever get tired of scrubbing your feet in the shower? Because they have this new thing. It can stick to any solid surface so you won't fall and you just step into it and it scrubs your feet for you. And there is this hard thing in there so if your feet are rough, then it will make them soft as a blanket. And it also gives your feet a gentle massage. If I see one I'll buy one for you. Or you can call and buy it. And if you call and buy it, you get double."

"Mom, I saw this thing you would like, too. It's like that little shirt you wear (a camisole), only it is just half of one. And it hooks right to your bra. And if you don't have one, then your boss at work might say you need to cover up a little." (Matthew said when this commercial was on he said, "My mom needs that. When's her birthday?" Oh my.)

Other Evanisms:

"I can even speak Paris French!"

"Mom, what do girls like that boys can do?" (Ummmm.....)

"Mom, are angels real? Or make believe? I don't think they are real.
(Me: They are real.)
"Prove it."
(I can't prove it. You just have to believe like you believe in God. Maybe one day you will be lucky enough to have an experience with an angel.)
"Oh, yeah. They are up there (points to the sky) like God. But, is Cupid real?"
(I don't think so.)
"Yeah, I didn't think so either or else there would be a lot more people shot with arrows on Valentine's Day."

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Too cute not to share even though I hardly ever upload video anymore. I hope you enjoy your bedtime story as much as I do!

My Funny Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I know ours will be full of love and I hope yours is, too.

Another Favorite

Add another food to Evan's list of favorites.

He's discovered he loves ribs!

At this point we're afraid to introduce filet mignon. Seems he enjoys good food whereas he does not like foods that other children usually prefer such as mac and cheese and peanut butter and jelly.

Maybe if we could find some good veggies he'd be willing to eat those.

Our January in Pictures

I got so wrapped up in the "snow" pictures of early January that I got very behind on the "rest" of the month. So, scroll down and enjoy Our Januaray in Pictures (in reverse order). Keep scrolling, there are several posts. In fact, you may have to click "older posts" at the bottom.

A Break in the Weather

The last weekend in January we had a brief break from the snow and cold of this winter. We enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine. It made us all ready for spring, but we quickly went back to cold weather. The groundhog did not see his shadow on Groundhog's Day though so maybe it will be an early spring. We can only hope!

Four!

Matthew and Evan took advantage of the gorgeous weather the last weekend in January to break in Evan's new golf clubs. He caught on really quickly and pretty soon was hitting them from the top of our yard to the road! He seems interested in the sport as well and it might just mean Matthew has to drag his clubs back out of the attic since he hasn't played in several years.

Happy Birthday, Granddaddy Ben!

On January 30 my Granddaddy celebrated his 93rd birthday! He is doing really well and we had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday. We are so blessed to have him in our lives.