Conversation #1 -
Lauren is all about birthday parties. And Jesus' birthday party is no different. Last night on the way home we were admiring all the new Christmas lights and talking about how it's only a few more weeks until Christmas.
Lauren: Mom! Jesus' birf-day is on Chwis-mas!!
Me: I know!
Lauren: This year he's gonna be one year old!!!
Me: Uh...I don't think so sweety. He's a bit older than that.
Lauren: How old?
Me: Like over 2,000 years old.
Lauren: Whoa. Is he even older than you?
Me: Uh...yeah.
Josh: **snickering**
Conversation #2 -
Every night it is a struggle for who gets to tell me about their day first. It usually ends up in a fight. So the other night Lauren was telling me about her day first and all of a sudden Josh pipes up and cuts in.
Lauren: MOM! Joshie in-ta-wup-ed me!
I died. She knows the word interrupt. Only in a multi-child home would a three year-old know what that word means. And how to appropriately use it.
Conversation #3 -
It's not really a conversation, so much, as it is a word. Ella has been steadily adding words to her vocabulary but the one word she uses most often is "Daddy". It's completely adorable and I can see Dustin's heart melt each time she calls for him. I am still patiently waiting to hear "Mommy". ;-)
Anyway, Dustin was up on the ladder hanging lights on Sunday and Ella was watching his every move from the front storm door. He started to climb up the tree and he got to the point where she could only see his legs. She SCREAMED "DADDY" as loud and as worried as a little toddler could. I came running and he was just getting off the ladder to come comfort her.
She was all smiles when she realized that he was fine....and that all she has to do is yell for him and he comes. She's a good trainer. ;-)
A Bricker-style Christmas
Josh officially has been blessed/cursed with my obsession with Christmas decorations. The poor kid was going through a serious meltdown last weekend because I didn't want to get all of the decorations out. We settled on setting up the tree and mantle in the family room.
Then this weekend I came down with a nasty cold. But the thought of having him go through another meltdown was enough to motivate me to get out of bed and re-string the 10' tree with 37 strands of lights. It truly is a Griswold Christmas!!
We ran out to buy all new lights for the big tree this year and I have to admit that when the girl asked how many trees we had I was slightly embarassed to say, "One." At first she giggled until she realized I was serious. I mean, really...who buys lights by the tray? Apparently, we do.
Josh was my little helper. The kid took the lights out of the box, tested them, removed the bag of extra lights and twisty ties and straightened out nearly all of the 37 strands, putting them in links of five for me. I literally put lights on for five hours. Fearing that he was going to want to decorate the tree that night I asked if he was tired of doing this yet and was thrilled to hear, "Yes".
So we waited for a good night's sleep and got up bright and early and finished the rest of the decorating - inside and out.
Then this weekend I came down with a nasty cold. But the thought of having him go through another meltdown was enough to motivate me to get out of bed and re-string the 10' tree with 37 strands of lights. It truly is a Griswold Christmas!!
We ran out to buy all new lights for the big tree this year and I have to admit that when the girl asked how many trees we had I was slightly embarassed to say, "One." At first she giggled until she realized I was serious. I mean, really...who buys lights by the tray? Apparently, we do.
Josh was my little helper. The kid took the lights out of the box, tested them, removed the bag of extra lights and twisty ties and straightened out nearly all of the 37 strands, putting them in links of five for me. I literally put lights on for five hours. Fearing that he was going to want to decorate the tree that night I asked if he was tired of doing this yet and was thrilled to hear, "Yes".
So we waited for a good night's sleep and got up bright and early and finished the rest of the decorating - inside and out.
First Pumpkin Pie
Dustin loves pumpkin pie. I personally can't stand the stuff but every year, as an ode to my husband, I make him one. He's never come between me and a Banana Cream so I think it's only fair. ;-)
So Wednesday I was home from work and Josh and I made one pumpkin pie and one apple pie. Josh likes pumpkin pie. Lauren hated it last year. But apparently pumpkin pie can grow on a girl because this year she loved it. Ella....well, she's like her mother and only likes the whipped cream.
So Wednesday I was home from work and Josh and I made one pumpkin pie and one apple pie. Josh likes pumpkin pie. Lauren hated it last year. But apparently pumpkin pie can grow on a girl because this year she loved it. Ella....well, she's like her mother and only likes the whipped cream.
Our Thanksgiving Turkey
This girl has developed quite the little personality on her lately. Any time she sees a camera or a flash she puts on a cheesy grin. We were on our way to Titi's for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday and had to make a quick stop at one of Dustin's restaurants to drop off some bean sprouts. (Apparently there was some sort of bean sprout emergency. ;-) ) Anyway, we had to shove them under Ella's carseat because it was too cold to put them in the bed of the truck.
Ella plopped her feet right up on the box and had a good, ol' giggle about the whole thing.
Ella plopped her feet right up on the box and had a good, ol' giggle about the whole thing.
Cuddle Time
The girls and I had a little bed cuddle time this weekend while still in our pajamas. It was warm. It was cuddly. It was perfect.
My Little Model
Lauren had her preschool pictures a month or so ago and we just got them back. I know that every parent thinks their child is the most beautiful but Lauren...she takes the cake! That girl is so photogenic! I cried when I saw them.
Here's a photo....of her photo.
I, of course, didn't order many because I figured she'd never smile for strangers and instead fall into a puddle of tears on the floor. And really...did I need another picture of Lauren throwing a fit?
If I had only known. I would have purchased the largest package they had!!!
And then I looked at the class picture. None of the kids were smiling....except for my Lauren!!
Seriously...I can't take the cuteness!!
Here's a photo....of her photo.
I, of course, didn't order many because I figured she'd never smile for strangers and instead fall into a puddle of tears on the floor. And really...did I need another picture of Lauren throwing a fit?
If I had only known. I would have purchased the largest package they had!!!
And then I looked at the class picture. None of the kids were smiling....except for my Lauren!!
Seriously...I can't take the cuteness!!
Joke of the Day
We recently switched cable providers and in doing so had a credit from our previous provider. And as an FYI to all who call our home...we also got rid of our land line! So if you call and get a message the number has been disconnected don't be alarmed. Please email me if you need Dustin's or my cell phone number.
I digress.
We received a check for the amount of our credit this weekend.
Are you serious?
I digress.
We received a check for the amount of our credit this weekend.
Are you serious?
Lauren's Preschool Conference
Well, we have officially started the parent-teacher conference cycle with our second child. Today Dustin and I went to Lauren's conference and pretty much knew what we had in store.
She's a smart little girl. She is a very happy little girl who's smile lights up the room. She loves, loves, loves to sing. And she is a very good friend and very motherly to the new students.
We were happy and proud of our little Crazy Train. However, she appears to be saving all of her good behavior for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. ;-)
I may have to start calling Lauren "My Little Songbird". She sings from the moment she gets up in the morning to the moment she goes to bed. And while 90% - okay 75% -of the time it is absolutely adorable, there are moments when her singing can be...ummmm,....unappreciated by most. We have the basic songs down and now even Ella can do the "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" routine. Other times she just makes it up as she goes. But one things is constant....her voice.
When her teacher told us that it makes her smile to see how much Lauren enjoys singing I had to share a little story with her. And now I will share with you....
The other night I was coming home from a very long day at work and the three children were a bit loud. Ella was crying about something. Josh was irritated with Lauren and Lauren was singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of her lungs. Hence, Josh's irritation. And to top it off, I was getting a migraine.
As I squinted with every passing of a car (to avoid the pain brought on by their glaring headlights), I asked Ella to stop crying. I asked Josh to help pacify Ella and then I paused.
Can a mother really ask her daughter to stop singing "Jesus Loves Me"?
Yes, yes she can. And I did. Felt awful about it...but not as awful as my migraine.
She's a smart little girl. She is a very happy little girl who's smile lights up the room. She loves, loves, loves to sing. And she is a very good friend and very motherly to the new students.
We were happy and proud of our little Crazy Train. However, she appears to be saving all of her good behavior for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. ;-)
I may have to start calling Lauren "My Little Songbird". She sings from the moment she gets up in the morning to the moment she goes to bed. And while 90% - okay 75% -of the time it is absolutely adorable, there are moments when her singing can be...ummmm,....unappreciated by most. We have the basic songs down and now even Ella can do the "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" routine. Other times she just makes it up as she goes. But one things is constant....her voice.
When her teacher told us that it makes her smile to see how much Lauren enjoys singing I had to share a little story with her. And now I will share with you....
The other night I was coming home from a very long day at work and the three children were a bit loud. Ella was crying about something. Josh was irritated with Lauren and Lauren was singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of her lungs. Hence, Josh's irritation. And to top it off, I was getting a migraine.
As I squinted with every passing of a car (to avoid the pain brought on by their glaring headlights), I asked Ella to stop crying. I asked Josh to help pacify Ella and then I paused.
Can a mother really ask her daughter to stop singing "Jesus Loves Me"?
Yes, yes she can. And I did. Felt awful about it...but not as awful as my migraine.
Sixty pounds....gone!
Can't believe it and thought I'd never get rid of the last two from this set of "ten"! But...I did it!! I am officially at my half way point!!! Woot woot!!
So...another eight pounds and I will have lost Josh!
Or another way to look at it is that I've lost one and a half of Lauren!!!
So...another eight pounds and I will have lost Josh!
Or another way to look at it is that I've lost one and a half of Lauren!!!
Funnies and Random Cuteness
Had some photos that made me laugh or say, "Awwwwwww". So I figured I'd share.
We've had a rough week at the Bricker household. One kid fighting strep for three days and now one with croup and another with a nasty cough. Tis' the season, I guess.
We've had a rough week at the Bricker household. One kid fighting strep for three days and now one with croup and another with a nasty cough. Tis' the season, I guess.
Halloween 2010
It was a perfect night for Halloween here this year. Well, as perfect as it can get for Iowa!
The kids had a blast and even Ella was into it this year. Josh and Lauren would get to the door first but as soon as Ella caught up she'd push the older two out of the way and dig right into the bowl of candy! It was too funny! Try telling a one year-old to be patient and wait for the candy to be given to you!
We stayed out until their bags were half full and their fingers were frozen! Once they got home the took inventory of all their candy and proceeded to pick out their favorites. After a few, or more, pieces....they crashed!
The kids had a blast and even Ella was into it this year. Josh and Lauren would get to the door first but as soon as Ella caught up she'd push the older two out of the way and dig right into the bowl of candy! It was too funny! Try telling a one year-old to be patient and wait for the candy to be given to you!
We stayed out until their bags were half full and their fingers were frozen! Once they got home the took inventory of all their candy and proceeded to pick out their favorites. After a few, or more, pieces....they crashed!
