Sunday, December 5, 2010

What a Hoot!


 We celebrated Channing's birthday on Saturday with family (actual birthday is Wednesday).   It was so nice to have everyone here.  Krista brought the beautiful cake & cupcakes.  A good friend of hers made the pretty treats.  Love the little owls!





 The birthday girl looked so pretty in her tutu. 



My parents with Channy





Channing was spoiled rotten.  She got so many great presents.  Thank you wonderful family for all the gifts!




She's not much for accessories yet. 
She wouldn't wear the adorable headband Keith, Rach & Owen gave her, and she certainly didn't want to keep her party hat on.


We were blessed to spend time with great-grandparents.  Channy & Griff with Great Grandma & Grandpa Y.


Griff & Channy with Great Grandma E.



Griff helped blow out Channy's candle.

  

There was nothing lady-like about the way that girl dove into that cake.  She went to town.


Lots-o-frosting.


Frosting in the nostrils.
Delicious.


Nana B. with the little tykes. Owen & Channy play so well together. 


 Channy wrestling Little Papa.  
 

I do not have a before picture---my MIL has it on her camera--but I couldn't wait to post pictures of this fabulous kitchen Nana & Papa B. made for Channing.  A friend of mine was getting rid of her entertainment center (thanks Sonya!), and I knew we could transform it into a play kitchen.  Nana & Papa B. did such a great job.  We love it! 


A nice stainless steel refrigerator & oven.  If you look closely, you can see the alphabet magnets in the oven baking (Griff said they were cinnamon rolls & cookies).  


 Love the scenic view!





Griffin obviously can't stay away from it.  It is amazing.  Thank you Nana & Papa B!  Thanks to  my family & Jason's for coming to Channy's party & for all the great gifts.  We love you all!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Thankful for Family

I didn't take a lot of Thanksgiving pictures...which I am regretting.  We had a great time back home with my family.  We had lunch at my aunt's house---she is a fabulous cook.  We had a nice mix of family & friends there.  (Max, Channing & Griffin)

Kel & Dustin with Channy
(by the way, we are done with bottles.  that is whole milk in her sippy cup--hooray!)


 Great Grandma E. with the kiddos. 
As you can see, neither child was cooperating.


 Our family.

 Griff telling Big Papa & Great Nana a tall tale.


 Mom had Thanksgiving supper at her house. 
We had a houseful, but it was nice & cozy.


 The boys tackling my cousin Mike.


Griff pinning Quintin & Landon. 
He's so tough.


 Krista being attacked by Landon & Griff. 
She didn't stand a chance.


This stinker turns one next week. We're having a little birthday party for her this weekend.
She's standing up on her own & taking a few steps, but hasn't gotten brave enough to take off running yet. 
Won't be long.....
(still no hair, only fuzz)

Monday, November 15, 2010

Chicago weekend & a music video

 We spent the past weekend livin' it up in Chicago.  I ate too much, drank too much & didn't shop enough!  Jason's cousin got married & Jas was an usher in the wedding. 
We had a great weekend with family.


Brotherly love

 Rach & I sitting at the fancy bus stop outside our hotel



 The wedding was on Loyola's campus.  The weather wasn't great, but the wedding was beautiful. 


 We were missing the three hooligans in this picture.  We were happy to get away, but VERY HAPPY to get home.  We missed Griff, Channy & O.



 Everyone was still able to smile after the depressing Hawkeye loss.





Thanks Mom & Dad for taking such great care of my babies!


I was cleaning my floors Thursday before leaving for Chicago.  I caught Griff singing a little number in the mirror.  Pretty sure those aren't the correct words to the song......


Thursday, November 4, 2010

The joys of Age 3

The following events all took place within a 3 day period. 
No exaggerations.
Age 3 is really fun. 
Really fun.

1)  The Old Navy Trip:
After dinner one night last week I told Jason I was going to head out to Old Navy to check out their winter coat selection.  I decided to take Griff with me.  Griff promised over & over he would stay by my side so I could try on a coat or two.  The minute we entered the store he took off running.  I called his name, but he didn't look back.  I lost him for a minute & found him carrying the plastic life size Old Navy dog around while a store employee looked at him, then at me, then back at him & just shook his head.  Griff dropped the dog then sprinted to a mannequin said hello to him & then proceeded to try and pick him up. Thank goodness the mannequin wasn't as light as the plastic dog. Griff then remembered that there was a large bin of soccer balls & footballs at the check out counter. He ran over & started chucking balls across the store.  I caught up with him & demanded that he pick the balls up--as he was running by me I VERY GENTLY tapped his head. He halted to a stop & at the top of his lungs screamed "STOP HITTING ME!"  Everyone turned to stare.  Absolute silence.  We promptly exited the store & needless to say, I didn't get my coat.  When I asked him why he was so naughty in the store he simply replied "Cuz."  I've learned that taking a 3 year old to a store that doesn't have carts to restrain him is just plain dumb on my part.  I've also learned that 3 year old children lie & do not keep their promises.


2) The Bite:
Last Wednesday I got a text from my daycare provider: "Griffin was naughty, he bit Owen." 
Really, I thought we were done with this phase?
Really, he's your cousin?!
Really, he's your 10 month old cousin?!!
REALLY, he's your 10 month old cousin that was sitting at the table minding his own business & you just came up & bit him on the knee???!!!!! 
When asked why he bit his cousin, Griff replied "Cuz". 
We have since had numerous conversations regarding biting & he promises to NEVER bite anyone again, ESPECIALLY his cousin Owen. (again, children lie & don't keep their promises)
A few days later my daycare provider text me again...."Channing got bit....good news though, it wasn't Griff!"
THANK GOODNESS!  Very sad that Channing was bit, but thank goodness it wasn't my kid that was doing the biting. 




3) The Poop Incident:
Griff is potty trained.  I love that.  He also likes to do his business in private.  I respect that.  He closes the door when he goes poo & then hollers for me to wipe.  I was making supper the other night & trying to entertain Channing when Griff had to go #2.  I told him to go do his thing & I'd wipe when he was done.  He went into the bathroom & I continued to cook.  I got busy & realized quite some time had passed & Griff was still in the bathroom.  I didn't hear the water running, I didn't hear the toilet flush, I didn't hear him talking.  I opened the bathroom door & found him completely naked squatting on the counter looking at himself in the mirror.  I must have scared him because he let out a little shriek & some poo came out of him & plopped on the floor.  Awesome.  I asked him why he was naked, squatting on the counter, looking at himself in the mirror & he replied "Cuz."  We no longer allow Griff to close the bathroom door.  (or get naked in front of mirrors)

My mother-in-law always tells me that Jason was exactly the same way when he was Griffin's age.  This  makes me feel a little better since my husband has grown up to be a very nice & respectful man.  Unfortunately he still answers a lot of my questions with "Cuz" & likes to look in mirrors.  dang genetics.