another baking post

I know I just posted one of these but I could not resist these cute faces! Today I was baking bread for the second time, and Price was able to tell the difference between this and baking a cake! He saw me kneading the dough and came over and said "I want to make bread!".  I was so impressed that he remembered (I let them help knead the dough last time).  Price, especially, loves to help! Charis will participate...a little...sometimes.  But Price really likes cleaning with me and cooking with me. To her credit, Charis really likes shopping with me :-)

Happy Halloween!

Hard to believe this was the kids' third halloween! They are so not in to getting dressed up yet.  We had a few costumes for them to choose from but each choice brought a new level of melt-down.  We finally offered the cheerleader and football player outfits, which were basically regular clothes, and that was deemed acceptable.  So with their costumes set, we had to decide what to wear ourselves!  We usually try to go with something current (last year we were Jessica Simpson & Tony Romo), so we decided on Jon & Kate Gosselin.  I think we actually pulled it off pretty well!  With the glasses, I think Chris actually looks a little like Jon (don't tell him I said that!). 

The weekend before Halloween, Chris' parents had a party.  We took the kids and it was great fun!  On the actual weekend of Halloween, Chris and I went to Austin; another 1/2 work 1/2 play weekend! We revisited the spa, went for sushi and then watched the people go down on 6th street from a rooftop bar - it was some crazy people watching!  The kids got to go to their little party at My Gym, but they've still not been trick-or-treating...maybe next year!!

ABC's and potty training

This video is from about a month or so ago, so Charis has gotten better with the ABC's.  As usual, Price is not nearly as clearly spoken as Charis, but it does not stop him from trying! Funny thing though, both of them at the end of the ABC song, say "now, no more ABC's..." we just laugh because it is so logical!

I figured I'd give a quick potty training synopsis; we started with Charis at the end of May, Memorial Day weekend to be exact.  She caught on quickly but had a tough transition to panties.  Price brought me his empty little potty asking for a "tweet" about 5 times before he decided he did not want to be turned down again and basically just started going on his own! I know I am both blessed and a little lucky :-) He was showing zero interest as of May but by his birthday he was just about there.  They are in underwear over night now, so I felt like I could reasonably post that they are both fully potty trained and I cannot remember our last accident.  I figure summer training makes things easier.  But they just were both "ready".  It was not a struggle and I am SO glad it is done! I have not bought diapers now in probably 2 months (at least) and how great that is for the grocery bill!!

Look out Emeril!

One of our new and most favorite activities is baking! I let the kids help me make brownies one day and the rest is history! They are so cute - and good little helpers! They say almost daily "we need to make a cake."  My mom brought home a friendship bread starter back in September and since that stuff multiplies, we have been making friendship "cake" about every 10 days!  They're just so smart and if you ask will tell you what goes in cake: flour, sugar, eggs and milk...not bad for a 2 year old!  And of course they like to get a little taste before it goes in the oven too!

Update!

Wow - this semester has really gotten off to a busy "start" - funny to say since the semester is actually 1/2 over by now.  I am teaching an extra class this semester so it means 4 nights a week, while I usually just teach 2.  The difference is way bigger than I had anticipated!

We are pretty busy with scheduled activities Tuesday (My Gym), Wednesday (BSF, or as we call it Bible class) and Thursday (Music class at TCU).  Unfortunately we have been shut down for the last couple weeks because of flu season and the kids have yet to get their flu shots.  Better safe than sorry, right?

Here's a couple final pics from summer; just a pretty shot in our neighborhood and then the kids 2 year pics.  They just would not hardly smile for some reason! But they're still my little cutie pies!

Baby Julian

My "little" cousin Michele (she's 30 but still my little cousin!) was scheduled to have a baby shower July 25 - the baby was not due until early September.  But as a big surprise to everyone, he decided to arrive a "little" early on July 21!  He was a tiny little thing and we never imagined we'd be seeing that baby before the baby shower! But he is a sweet little blessing and now, as I post this in September he is just growing and growing and doing great!

During this visit, my mom and I took the kids to the Abilene zoo.  It is really cool! They have a bridge that goes over the giraffe (which my kids pronounce with a hard "g" sound) exhibit.  You can buy treats to feed them and they reach up with their long tongues and take them right from your hands! It is wild!  The kids would just squeal anytime the tongue got close to them!  They also loved the monkeys, which got fed while we were watching, and proceeded to carry their carrots and lettuce around with them - it was really cool to see! The kids pretty much fancy themselves monkeys anyway, what with their cool backpacks and all!

A note on the backpacks - I never thought I'd have my kids wear something that seemed like a "leash".  I mean I looked down my nose at people I saw in the mall with their kids on a leash

 and scoffed "oh I'd never do that..."  Never say never, right? Especially when it comes to parenting.  My kids love those silly backpacks and for me, I can keep them close (aka safe) without impeding their fun!

Summer's winding down

We have had such a fun summer.  We went to the zoo every Monday in June since members could get in early.  The kids love the zoo! I can't wait to go this Fall when it's a bit cooler and less crowded.  They got to ride the train for the first time and boy was that a HIT!  We did My Gym on Tuesdays, which of course is something they love! Wednesdays we did Music Class at TCU (it was also neat having Hannah in our class).  It was a haul getting out there but by the end I had decided it was worth it.  These pics are from the last day of class when you're allowed to bring cameras (and Daddy!).  I think it is so good for them and they really seem to enjoy it.  So we are signed up again for Fall! We also went to Paradise Pond a few times with Adley and Angelina.  We went swimming and to dinner at Central Market with Rilee and Amy lots of times.

We went to the bounce house with Rilee and Reed.  It has just been a wonderful time to play and get closer with our friends!  We are so blessed by the friends we have and are thankful for the fun times we get to spend with them!  It is always sad to see summer end, but Fall will just bring a new set of adventures for us (and some cooler weather...whew)!