Chloe has her ears pierced... again!

Why we no longer have a coffee table

Playin' catch (up)

Nothing super exciting has happened in the last couple weeks. I thought I would just catch everyone up on our boring lives, though.

We had Chloe's parent-teacher conference. No surprises. She is doing fine. No, let me brag for a minute... she is doing great! She is reading at a first grade level and goes to another class for advanced readers. She says she is bored in class, so the teacher let her make out "lesson plans" last weekend. We'll see how much of them she can or will follow. Chloe had some good ideas (and some silly ones). We are very proud of her. I hope we can keep her challenged through her school years. She is very creative and energetic, so she doesn't do well sitting behind a desk listening to a teacher lecture.

The little boy next door turned 5. Happy Birthday, Hunter. He had his party at Incredible Pizza. It was incredibly unorganized, but the kids had an incredibly good time. The food was incredibly mediocre. How many more times can I use the word 'incredible'? We decided we need to get the kids together for an incredible evening of Friday Night RAW! Yea Batista!

Chloe also had her valentine party at school. She goes to school with some really cute kids. Or maybe it is just the age. I really have a good time helping in her classroom, though. They passed out their little valentines, ate pizza and played a few games. My Valentine got me flowers and a bottle of Margaritas! Nothin' better. Thank you, dear!

Chloe got fitted for her dance recital costume. they are really cute. It is pink and sequined and has a removable tutu for the ballet dance. It is frilly and girlie and right up Chloe's ally. She is going to have a blast.

Charlie is walking everywhere now. Getting into everything. We went to see the movie 'Dog Hotel'. Charlie and I didn't see much of it because he insisted on climbing up and down the stairs in the theater. The parts we saw looked pretty cute, though. Chloe enjoyed it. I tried again to take him to a restaurant. I keep thinking "this time will be better". Nah, he just doesn't sit in one place long enough to eat a full meal. I guess I have to wait a few more years to take him out. We went to a Chinese buffet Sunday and the old people behind us made some nasty comments and left. I kinda felt bad, but they were not very nice. Apparently they never had kids. Oh well, I'm over it!

Beautiful Day!

Today was our first nice day in a long time. Our high was 67 and sunny. We spent a lot of time outside. We visited the park and Charlie got to play for the first time. He went to the park last summer, but just got to watch the action from his stroller. He didn't like the swing. He just held on for dear life. He wasn't thrilled with the slide, either. It was so nice to get some fresh air. We all slept with our windows open last night. Now we all have stuffy noses... bummer!

Happy Superdog day!

Happy Superbowl and Groundhog Day!

First, the Superbowl... I am so sorry for the Cardinals and Kurt Warner. He seems like such a genuinely nice person. You know another genuinely nice person? ME! We had a great time with all of our friends.

Next... GROUNDHOGS DAY! (formerly known as my birthday)

Thank you for the beautiful candle! We were just mentioning that it hadn't been seen in years! It has returned! YEA!

Snow Day

Michelle's GNO! Great party... can't wait for the next one!

Winter Warm Up

Mel hobnobbing with Bob Gibson


World Series Ring... my finger has never been worth so much!

Josh and Adrianne

Tony LaRussa

I walk everywhere now!

Charlie'sfirst birthday

Sorry, they are in reverse order (start at the bottom)

Time to play with the new toys!

AARGH! Assembly required!

maybe it's not so bad

Darn it, I'm cold and I don't recognize this "food"

I like opening presents

Wait a minute, where did Charlie go?

Yea, a Cowboys outfit!

Charlie had lots of help opening gifts

The Wilson girls

Amy modeling the most beautiful jellies (thank you Ann!)

Hey, Jacob is hogging the pantry

Don't eat my ears, grandma!

Baby Einstein cake

Crazy boys

Hello, Ladies!

The Godmother

Chelsea

Charlie's first year quiz

(answers at the bottom)

1. What was Charlie's weight at birth?
2. Who stayed with Chloe while Charlie was being born?
3. Who are Charlie's Godparents?
4. Who made Charlie's birth announcements?
5. Where was Charlie when he took his first steps?
6. How many times has Charlie been (round trip) on an airplane?
7. Who was Charlie's first babysitter?
8. You get a bunch of hand-me-downs from whom?
9. What is the name of the lady that watches Charlie?
10. What was Charlie for Halloween?
*BONUS* Where did Charlie ring in the New Year?



1. 7 pounds, 7 oz
2. Ann Gulley
3. Josh and Adrianne
4. Amy Schwartz
5. the Bass' house
6. twice (once to Texas, once to South Carolina)
7. Amy Schwartz (3-19-08)
8. Jacob Bass
9. Marilyn Jones
10. dragon
*BONUS* This is a trick question. After celebrating at Mel and Sean's annual party, we were home by 12 (11 central) and Charlie rang in the new year fast asleep in his own bed.

reflection of the last year

As Charlie's first birthday approaches, I find myself reflecting on the last year and how different my children are. I don't know if it is the difference between 2 personalities, the first born vs the second born or the differences in the sexes. Charlie has certainly been more of a challenge than Chloe was. He is a ton of fun, but keeps us very busy. He has to be watched at all times. I remember putting a Baby Einstein movie on for Chloe and letting her sit for a 1/2 hour while I did housework. Charlie would be into every cabinet in the living room. He loves to push random buttons on the remote control and call people on the phone. He will come running when he hears the dishwasher open. That is his new favorite place to play. He also is mesmerized by the automatic trash can. I can honestly say that Chloe never played in the garbage or the TOILET! Charlie has a big bruise on his forehead here he dropped the toilet lid on his head. Chloe did her fair share of crying as an infant, which Charlie never did. However, Charlie just screams to get your attention when there is something he wants. Let me tell you, he is loud!

Both of my kids had a knack for putting their mouths all over the shopping carts. That really grosses me out. For Charlie I bought the cart cover to keep him from doing that. He just moves the cart cover off, and then goes to to town. The cold metal must feel good on their gums, but I am tired of the GI bug running through my family.

Chloe was much more verbal than Charlie, also. We are trying some sign language with Charlie because he still doesn't have any words. Charlie, on the other hand, is much more physical. He is taking steps months before Chloe did and has started climbing (and diving) off the furniture.

My kids have provided so much entertainment this last year, it is hard to put it all down in words. They try my patience, teach me about innocence and show me absolute unconditional love. I love you guys!

Happy New Year!

We had a fantastic time at the Carson's... as always. I'm just sorry that we couldn't have stayed longer. Apparently we missed some serious Rock Band. So ladies, what is the dress code for next year?

Unfortunately, Charlie was up 3 or 4 times last night puking. I just love changing sheets at 2 in the morning. Good times. Hopefully the rest of us can avoid the bug this time!