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We've had lots of fun with Laynie's new trick...I love that she say Boo!

Fancy Piggy and Ham

Growing up as a Vallett girl meant pig-tails so tight your eyes became permanently slanted, bows to match every outfit, and sleeping in curlers every Saturday night so your hair is curly for Sunday. However, we really didn't have enough hair to do neat stuff with till we were almost two.

I don't claim to be the best hairdresser, but I knew this was a style my mom would appreciate. Laynie sat still long enough to get three elastics in her hair! I know it's not a french braid or super curly, but I was pretty proud of myself.

Then she started to pose...

Look what happens every time I say, "Say Cheese!"

That's actually a different picture...just the same pose!

Merry Christmas!

We had our annual Christmas Eve party at Aunt Becky's house. We had a blast! The food was great and the kids had a great time playing with their cousins.

We laid down some Magic Reindeer Food in our yard to make sure that Rudolph knew exactly where to land...unfortunately, we attracted some other attention too. Some type of rodent (at least I'm guessing a possum or a raccoon) made a racket in our yard and scared the crap out of me. The kids weren't the only ones awake in our house last night! I could not fall asleep for hours!

Good morning Laynie! Happy First Christmas!

Here's Gavin chewing on his toothbrush. Santa leaves one in his stocking every year.

"Seriously, Mom! This one is for me?"

Gavin got his Little Einstein's Rocket...but he like Laynie's toy better until...

...he opened his Handy Manny truck!

Laynie also got a baby and stroller, but her favorite toy was...

...her little black purse. This girl already knows how to accessorize!

All together, it was a great Christmas!

Snow Day?

I look out the window and what do I see?
Snow is falling down on me!
Oh my goodness, oh my word! That is SNOW! It's not bird turd.

Sorry for the limerick, but it's all I could come up with at a moment's notice. Plus, it only snows here once a decade. I'm so sad that Gavin is sleeping through it!

You Know Your Kid is Sick When...

He makes himself a bed on the living room floor and just lays there. Doesn't watch TV, doesn't want a story read, just lays there quietly.

Which brings to mind my new theme song, "Sick and Tired" by Cross Canadian Ragweed (I know, it's a completely horrible name for any band, even country). I don't think I've ever heard it on the radio...perhaps it's too whiny for even the most devoted country fan. But I love the chorus which says, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired." We've had four straight weeks of colds, and I'm sick and tired of it!

Polar Express

We made Gavin's dreams (or nightmares) come true! We rode the "Polar Express" while we were in Utah! It was a blast (for the most part). Note: Our warm clothes and my awesome beanie would be a good idea in a normal Utah winter. We were all SWEATING! I did not need the long johns...

Santa stopped by and gave Gavin a bell. He spoke to each child and called them by name.

The only problem is that now Gavin won't go to bed without crying, "Don't let the train come and get me!" Last night was the first in two weeks that he slept by himself! Argh...He could hear the train from his bedroom at my mom's house. It may have scarred him for life.

Home for the Holiday

Gavin will never be able to complain because his birthday is near a holiday. Especially since we've been spending our Thanksgiving breaks in Utah. And that results in two awesome birthday parties and two fantastic cakes! I decided to let him decorate his own cake for his Utah party. It was really fun and pretty tasty too!

You can't really tell from the picture, but the candle is actually on a huge mound of sprinkles. I love his artistic use of white space. All the candies are strategically placed in one corner.

Too bad I had to chase him down when it was time to blow out the candles...

One of his gifts was artificial snow. Insta Snow Powder is amazing! One teaspoon and a little water filled that whole plastic cup. And it's cold to the touch. The best part is that he'll sit in the highchair for almost an hour and play quietly!

And of course, a picture of Laynie. My sisters love to feed her foods she is not supposed to have...like scoops of cake frosting right out of the bowl. Liz and MeMe, just know it's all fun and games now. Wait till I do it to your kids!

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

We celebrated Gavin's birthday today with the Wallaces. It's always a party when Gav and Bay are together!

My son is SO spoiled. He got the Polar Express Movie (we're doing the train ride on the Heber Creeper when we're in Utah), a Doctor's Kit, a Leapster 2, the Nemo game for the Leapster, a Playdough extravaganza, a bunch of new clothes and...

...the new David Archuleta CD. I totally created an American Idol addict this summer. We listened to it while he was getting ready for bed, but finally had to turn it off because he wouldn't stop "drumming" on the ottoman. He totally wants to be a rock star...too bad he's tone deaf.

Here's the cake. My sister-in-law, Elizabeth (aka Looli), has totally ruined me when it comes to homemade frosting. I will never purchase a "store bought" cake again, unless it's from a real bakery (i.e. Schimdt's in WJ is hella good!). So, I have to make my own frosting even though my decorating skills are a little subpar. However, Gavin knows how to make me feel good about these types of projects. Every time someone walked in our house tonight, the first thing he'd say was, "Want to come see my cake?" It wasn't pretty, but he was really excited about it.

Super Cute! Father and son trying out the new toy. Jamie was so patient with Gav! I was so impressed!

Don't worry. We didn't forget Laynie in all the hoopla. She was just happy to crawl around and eat cake crumbs off the floor. GROSS!!

She and Gav got matching "monkey skins." I tried to get Gav to pose, but all the b-day pictures wore him out.

This Week's Highlights

I had sort of a crazy week and didn't get many pictures taken. No pictures, no blog. I guess I could spend the time to write quips about my life and kids, but it's sort of like a book without illustration. And that's not nearly as much fun. But some good things did happen this week that I want to jot down for posterity (and for anyone who cares to read more than this paragraph).

5. Mission Accomplished!

You know that never-ending checklist of things you are always trying to get done? Well, I did most of mine this week. That might not be a highlight to anyone else but having the bathrooms, kitchen, living room, kids rooms and bed linens all clean on the same day is a HUGE deal to me! But it only lasted about 12 hours. So definitely no pictures of my formerly clean house.

4. Winter Blues (and Pinks and Purples)

We busted out the winter clothes today! Check out Laynie in her full-body sweater. I love winter wear but hate cold weather. Go figure.

3. Pampered Princess

On Fridays we usually go to the park. Yesterday I asked Gavin what he wanted to do and was pleasantly surprised by his answer. "Mom, I want to play in my room." He reached up and grabbed my hand, "Please come play in my room with me." So we did.

He had his own idea of what he wanted to do. Rather than playing blocks or building train sets, we spread his animals out all over the floor and gave them names. He didn't like any of my suggestions. They were all named Barkley, except one little dog that looks like my parents dog. His name was Bubba.

When we finished naming the animals he informed me it was time to take a nap. "Gav, it's only 10:30. It's too early to take a nap."

"No Mom!" He began emphatically. "It's time for YOU to take a nap." Then he took the blankets off his bed and began to "buckle" me in - instead of "tuck." Before long, I was bundled tightly under two baby blankets and had a pink pig for a pillow.

"Relax and go to sleep," he'd say every time I'd open my eyes.

He laughed hysterically at my fake snores and tucked my blankets back in every time I came "unbuckled." It was one of those sweet times with your children that you know are unlikely to happen again, but that you never want to forget.

2. Croc Wrestling

On Thursday I had two of Gavin's friends, Hannah and Landon, over for few hours. We had a blast! We painted and made super cute "hats." The kids had a blast and I did not have a panic attack. Although I always come close to hyperventilating when we do art projects in my house. Poor Gavin has a litany of rules memorized that he reviewed with his friends before the painting began. (Stifling my child's creativity vs. Saving my sanity. You decide what's more important).

When it was time for everyone to go, I see Gavin and Landon full-on wrestling for a blue croc. Gavin is a little older and a lot bigger than his pint-sized playmate, but Landon totally had the upper hand. I guess that is the blessing of having older siblings? Anyway, they both have a pair of blue crocs and Landon had mistakenly grabbed Gav's shoe, thus the melee. (Not that Landon couldn't fit both of his fit in one of Gavin's Sasquatch shoes. The kid is up to size 10 already, and he won't turn three for a couple more weeks!)

They both laughed and hugged when we got to the shoes all sorted out.

1. "Mom, I pee peed on the woman."

My friend Jami and I went out to lunch this week. While I was still chowing, Gavin decided he needed to go to the bathroom. Jami was kind (and brave) enough to take both our boys potty.

"So, that was an interesting experience." Jami said when she returned to our table. "So Gavin was hurrying a little and didn't aim..."

"Oh no!" I interrupted, "Did he get it on his clothes?"

"Not exactly..."

Gav didn't aim at all. He was standing off to one side, overshot the whole toilet, and left a puddle on the feet of the woman in the next stall.

Instead of being classy and trying to find the woman to apologize (or something), I burst into hysterical laughter. By time I got out to my car and retold the story to my brother, I was crying and laughing.

And every time I tell the story, Gav looks at me with a confused face and says, "Mom, I pee peed on the woman?"

What's Wrong with this Picture?

And I'm not talking about my lack of organization. There is a baby in my pantry.

I think she is trying to tell me she's hungry. Look at her face! She's giving me the oops-I've-been-caught-please-remember-how-cute-I-am smile. Little stinker!

Pat-A-Cake Laynie

If you don't mind the post-nap crooked piggies, this is a pretty cute video!

All Hallows Eve

Don't worry...Gavin doesn't always look like that. He was just hopped up on sugar before he went trick-or-treating.

The Trick-or-Treating Station. Kids don't come to the door in most cases, just to the driveway.

Bunny tail and crazy piggies. She kept pulling her bunny ears off!

Check out the super cute bunny slippers! Love it!

Family Fun Day!

About six months ago, we planned our first Family Fun Day. We intended to go to the little boardwalk town of Kemah, but Hurricane Ike blew away those plans and most of the town too. Our friends, the Wegners, suggested that we take Gavin bowling. And we did...after a short stop at Barnes and Noble. I purchased two new books (WAHOO!) and Gavin played with the Thomas the Train set.

Laynie didn't have quite as much fun...

When we finally made it to the bowling alley, we had a blast! Not only did they have shoes to fit Gavin's feet, but Jamie was the ultimate example of patience.

They had an awesome "method," and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that Gavin out bowled me in the second round. Jamie, however, won both games. And he bowled a 159 the second game without using the bumpers! That's a pretty great score considering I bowled an 84...It's okay. I know I'm probably the worst bowler on the planet.