474 Dandy Fun

Just wanted to share a few dandelion pics. The kids have been dragging me back into the park again, so I have to amuse myself somehow. Actually, the dandelion that the T-Rex is holding was what started it all. Connor came up to me while I was getting ready to take them out to bring me a "flower". He is so overwhelmingly sweet (on occasion).

Beware girls... Just because he comes bearing gifts it doesn't mean he can be trusted.

Wasted wishes.... So sad.

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Trying to figure out how to post from my phone since I rarely get on the actual computer.... And most of the pictures I take are on my phone right now.

473 January 2012

I honestly have no idea what we did the month of January.
I know the television got turned off a lot more often.
I know my head nearly exploded multiple times from frustration.
I know I managed to get out of the house ... a few times.
I know Connor decided he would rather stick out his tongue than smile.
I know Katie improved at school ... but she still comes home clueless about what her teachers have actually said.
I know Sugar has been toted about and kissed so much that I literally have to remind Katie that she can OVER HANDLE her hamster to the point it will hurt it. Plus, EWWW, kissing a hamster!
I know we can't wait for the tax return to post.
I know we had snow flurries ... and 70 degree days. We had the heat on full blast, and we had the windows open.
I know I made art... I even kept up with my photo a day thing... so far.

472 Atlanta Trip - Winter Holiday Edition

Ever since Katie started school I try to use every school holiday for a trip home to see my family. I have probably mentioned it before, but the older I get the closer I want to be to my family. I miss Mom ... and even my stinky brothers and their families. It is always worse around a holiday, when I want to watch the kids all ripping into their presents together. And, I will admit, it was really hard for me to get in the Christmas mood this year. I caught it right there at the end, but it was a close one.

I did get to take the kids home for a week. We got to visit a bit with everyone, see some friends (although not nearly enough), and generally relax and enjoy. It was MUCH needed.

Katie does have her own bed ... but most nights she either started out here and moved, or she just stayed the whole night. I might be "mean" but I am also super cuddly.

 We took a drive into North Georgia to do a little gem mining for Katie at The Lilly Pad Village. The water was COLD, but we had a blast. It was a bit off the beaten path, but the staff was really nice! I would definitely recommend it if you have a little rock hound in the family.

And of course, I have to share some pics of my adorable nephew! We got a chance to babysit him for a bit. Katie and Connor were absolutely smitten. Spencer really is one of the happiest and sweetest babies I have been around. And he LOVES a camera! What's not to love?

It got a little chilly, so we had to break out the hats.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And then ... I had to go home :(

471 Christmas Post... finally

Yeah yeah ... Christmas was a long time ago ...

I am trying to convince myself to jump back into this blog, so just work with me here.

Besides, who can't use a little Christmas cheer?

 First we have the Sugar Cookie Making ... very important tradition. Connor absolutely demolished an egg trying to "help" crack it. My butter wasn't cold enough and the dough refused to cooperate. Definitely not the best batch ever, but we had fun.

 Katie took over some of the reading of "The Night Before Christmas".

 I then forced them to pose ... clearly they are not concerned with being placed on the Naughty List.

It was a superhero Christmas for Connor, and a science Christmas for Katie. She loved her geode set from Santa. Probably the only child that was excited to see that Santa brought her a bunch of rocks.

And a trip down to Mimi and Pop Pop's to spend time with family.

Katie loves her Red Rider ... luckily she did NOT shoot her eye out. However, the very first shot she took ricocheted off the fence and hit me in the arm ... it had no force by that point, but I did have to laugh.

Okay ... enough ... Although, I haven't posted pictures from our Atlanta trip yet...

(Just trying to get it out of the way so I can do a wrap up post for January and I will feel like I am back on track.)