Sunday Coats

Do you have one?

I am blessed to have one.  Ryan is blessed to have one (finally, after 5 years of marriage and a fabulous spring sale at Demarco's last year). 

And I know two little boys who are loved &; blessed beyond measure to have one.

Truth is*, I, as a child was also loved and blessed beyond measure to have one...and Tanner is now wearing it.  Taylor is sporting the one my brother Keith used to wear.  I believe every one of my siblings has worn these coats.

My mother, who is a master seamstress and frugal wife, made these darling wool coats for me and Keith when we were 3 and 1 (you'll notice my boys have nearly outgrown them).

Every few years, my mother would make me a new wool Sunday coat, and inevitably my sisters would get to enjoy it as well.

My favorite coat was of a soft, forest green, medium weight wool.  It had a peter-pan collar, with a scalloped edge cape that tied under the collar.  Because I used to play with the cape during primary, my mom eventually sewed it down, but I felt like a princess.  My coat had four leather buttons down the front, that made me feel grown up.   My mom also made a wool red and green (big) plaid jumper that was a beast to get on and off.  I hated wearing it for that very reason, because I could never get it on or off by myself!  (I pray my mom kept that keepsake of a jumper.  Even if she didn't I have 2 yards of similar wool that I won when I was 14, at the District Make-it-with-wool contest I did when we lived in Springville  I WILL have a daughter someday.  She WILL wear a darling jumper with a darling coat...someday.)  I know my mom still has the coat!    Oh, to be five and feel like a princess again!

I hope that by the time I get this blog into blurb to make a book, that I can find a picture of myself in my favorite green coat.  Or one of Keith and I...wouldn't that be great?!?!

I also have to mention my boy's Sunday shoes that you see in the picture.  Poor kids.  Tanner, I wasn't worried about, so much as Taylor.  The kid has only had shoes his brother has worn, which isn't too bad.  But I realized that Taylor was wearing size 5 Sunday shoes and size 6 play shoes...when I measured his feet at PayLess the other day, he was a whopping SIZE 7-7 1/2!  So he got new play and Sunday shoes.  Tanner, on the other hand, is a size 9.  He's been tromping around in size 10 play shoes for well over a year now, but we did 'upgrade' and get him size 9 Sunday shoes.  His were still too big to pass onto Taylor...maybe next year!?!?

Bottom Line:  You'll act better if you're dressed better.  And Tanner and Taylor were angels in Sacrament meeting today.  Primary...???...not so much.  But we're working on it.  I suppose I'll tell our pianist "no" the next time she needs a sub so I can sit with Tanner in his class.  Silly boy can't sit still for one second...


* I have been asked in the past few weeks where I got these 'darling' coats for my boys.  Today I was asked by five different people.

New Love, Rewarding Work, & Derby Cars

I have been in my current calling for just over a year now; Den Leader.  I'll admit, I jumped for joy and cried for hours all in the same day when this call was extended to me.  I was so sad to be leaving a calling I was so comfortable with; the ward primary chorister.  I was also excited to be going in another direction, one where my family has strong roots...we're talking EVERYONE in my family is into 'IT'.  The scouting program.

Here's my confession:  It took me nearly six months to really like my calling.  And now, at just one year into it, I LOVE my calling.  I guess you could say it's my new love.  It's a lot of work; hard work, tiring work, but rewarding work.  Like anything we do, some days are better than others, but I am finding such joy in learning along with these boys.  They are growing up MUCH too quickly! 

After hours and weeks and months of working on preparations for the 2010 Pinewood Derby, I have to say, that I think we pulled the event off, just by our toenails!  Really, there was a lot of work that went into this fun evening, and a few last minute details that we scrambled to make happen smoothly, but all in all, everyone had a good time, even Ryan and our little boys.

Some of the things I made (and if you'd like a .jpg or .pdf of it, DO ASK!  I'd love to share these!) for awards and whatnot...this is just part of it.  (ideas for the below graphics and such from www.theideadoor.com)

every car was registered 

(half sheet, for boy to fill out, complete with car specks)

every scout had a pit pass which corresponded with his vehicle

only those with pit-passes were allowed in the pit and next to the newfangled aluminum track

(quarter sheet, hole punched with string to wear around their neck)

every scout received an award

(this was one of MANY! seriously, nobody went home empty handed)

Tanner's favorite part of all this computer hoop-a-la was watching me line up all those checkered squares.  LOL!

The reason that I'm sharing these with you, is because I'm so proud of myself for actually getting them done, looking decent!  Making the logo of the car that is in the backgrounds took the most work, but it was so stinking fun!!! 

I also got to make the parking lot, seen below.  THIS was a major feat, and probably the most fun.  I'm such a poster and permanent marker geek!  I have three shoe boxes full of markers and goodies. (I get this trait from my mom and dad...mostly my mom.  I learned from my mom the tricks of the trade of making posters...I used to watch her make poster after poster for some event or another.  My favorite being the Young Women Torch posters she'd do up back in the day for special meetings and such. I think I get the "nice-computerized-must-look-official-and-professional trait from my dad.  I spent many hours lining up and printing certificates for member's of my dad's ward when he was the bishop...I think all of my siblings have had a turn doing that!  We finally got smart and just taught my dad how HE could do it all by himself. However, I secretly loved to do it. )  Can I just say that there is nothing better than a nice, new, chiseled permanent marker with all of it's juice?  That's ranked up there with sharp sewing shears.

Some of what the cub scout boys made (don't these look AWESOME?  They also made derby cars from Twinkies, a car stand, and lots of noise!)

Some of the mess my future cub scouts made

I wish I would have taken the time to get a picture of our judges, because one of them sure was good lookin!  Of course, it was my husband.  :)  He needed a break from the kids and I figured I could let them hang out with me (aka: follow me and get in a lot of little boy trouble when I wasn't looking!).

This was such a good night.  I regret not taking pictures of all the wonderful things all the leaders helped to do.  I had only a small part in this event.  If just ONE person would have dropped the ball, the whole night wouldn't have been the same.  I have the wonderful privilege of rubbing shoulders with so many great people, mentors, and scouts.  I know that I'll cry the day that this calling comes to an end for me!

Valentine's Day Treats

Since I couldn't get my act together for Christmas, I thought I'd put a bit more effort into Valentine's Day.

For as long as I can remember, my mom has made sugar cookies, cut out in the shape of a heart, frosted with yummy pink frosting, with conversation hearts preventing stacked cookies from sticking together.  They were and still are, my favorite.  But I really wanted to try something new...

Soon after Christmas I found a fun tutorial on making Valentine's Day suckers, quick and easy.  I've never made suckers of ANY kind before, and thought this would be such a fun little activity for me and the boys to do together...

Yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhhh....

After reading through and going over the SIMPLE directions, I reconsidered my game-plan....

Do the dishes while Ryan puts the kids down, and THEN start this little project.

So these are my finished products...

There are only about 18, nearly 6 less than I had anticipated, due to breakage before cooking.

Not exactly the way I thought they would turn out, but then, what can I say.  I tried!  At least I was smart enough to find the fruit flavored candy canes.

Can't hardly wait to give my monster suckers to my lovely little monsters.  :)  As for next year?  I think I'll pull out the flour and Bosch mixer, along with some conversation hearts and cream cheese for frosting.  Old habits die hard.

{XOXO}

There are always get-togethers in our neck of the woods, but tonight it was just me and some of my other girl-friends.  No husband.  No kids.  No nuttin', but a whole lotta fun!

Thanks to Beckie, who put together this fun evening!  I had my camera with me, but didn't get a single chance to pull it from my coat pocket.  Instead, I had a blast visiting, giggling, painting, sanding, modge-podging, and talking it up!

So here is the finished product, which goes just perfectly with my other {heart} day decor!  (yes, that is a sneek peek at my table runner, and there is a post waiting for a decent picture, stay tuned for more details.)

Technicalities

Tanner is so technical these days...

Tanner and Taylor were both in bed tonight, going to sleep, when I heard too much talking.  I went into their room to investigate and discovered Taylor was poopy.

So Taylor and I went in the living room to change the stinky diaper, when Tanner followed.

"Tanner, go to bed.  Taylor will come in after I'm done with him."

"But mom, there's poopy air in my room.  I can't sleep with poopy air in my nose."

"I'll spray in a second.  Goodnight."

And that was it.  I sprayed pumpkin spray (which used to smell good to me, but now I'm second guessing myself) and they're in their beds going to sleep. 

Technicalities. 

Red, Pink, White, and {Chocolate}

Found a fun Moda Fabric Charm Pack by Sandy Gervais, called "Lamour" at Porter's and bought it for myself for my birthday, knowing exactly what I wanted to do with it. 

After a few fun hours, this is what I have to add to my Valentine's Day decor...

My favorite part is the giant rick-rack sewn atop the plain muslin binding.

It makes my {heart} happy.

Daddy and his A-Game

Ryan has a game he likes to play.  Not just any game but a ball game.  More specifically, CHURCH BALL.

Tonight after rushing home from work and a quick dinner, daddy hurried to the stake center for warm-ups, and we followed shortly, but not without a bit of a surprise.

On our way out the door, there was an extra poster on the table from my scout derby endeavors.  I thought I'd let the boys have a few minutes of spontaneous fun, and that, we did! Our results:

(I offered Aria to hold and color on the back of Taylor's poster, but she was content to watch from the chair.)  Can you tell I was once a cheerleader?  Too funny.

Here's the Rose Park Ward Elder's Quorum Basketball Team:

(There's a latecomer missing, but you get the idea.)

And one of my favorites...just like their daddy...needing a drink after a good run.

Come to find out, this little guy wasn't feeling too good, but I love this picture anyways.

The entertainment...as if watching their daddies play a good ole' game of church ball wasn't enough.

By the way, our daddy helped his team to WIN!  (It doesn't matter that the other team didn't have enough players to start, but in the end they did round up enough players and tied the game; 33-33.) 

I love the way...

...my four year old, Tanner, thinks.

Tonight as Ryan was putting Taylor to bed, Tanner was sitting on my lap while I watched "The Biggest Looser".  It's a reality competition show, where people who are morbidly obese, compete to see who can loose the most weight in a certain amount of time; all while under the discretion of physicians, professional personal trainers, and the scrutiny of national television viewers. 

At one point, Tanner said, "Mom?  I don't wanna get big and fat."  I replied, "Then we need to eat healthy, like eating our vegetables and fruits.  That also means we can't have lots of cake and ice cream and candy and stuff."  "Oh," said Tanner.  I could tell the little wheels in his head were turning.  He also seemed genuinely concerned for the contestants on the show. 

A few minutes later, towards the end of the episode, as the contestants are weighing in, I casually mentioned to Ryan, "Dear, don't ever let me get to that point!"  I don't care if the world knows how much I weigh.  And just to prove it, I currently weigh 162 pounds.  Exactly what I weighed the morning before delivering Tanner, four years ago.  On the flip side, I can't imagine being in nothing but a pair of shorts and a sports bra on national television, with everyone staring at every ounce of fat on my bones...the appearance and the emotions would be a little much for me.

In response to my comment to Ryan, this is the conversation that Tanner and I had:

Tanner:  "Mom, I promise I won't ever let you get like that."
Me:  "Thanks, Tanner."
Tanner: "Just promise me you'll eat your vegetables."
Me: "Okay....if you promise me you'll eat yours."
Tanner: "Yeah, mom.  I promise.  'Cause I don't wanna get big and fat."

He didn't say "big and fat" in a demeaning way, but with almost a scared tone to his voice.  I think my four year old is sincerely afraid to get "big and fat".  That in and of itself, scares me.  

I will never cease to be amazed at what my son picks up, good and bad.  The fact that he knows it is unhealthy to be obese, and doesn't want to end up like that hit me hard.  Looks like my weight lifting routine just became a little more permanent.  It also appears that the money I was setting aside for a haircut will now go towards a morning or evening water aerobics class.  I cannot afford to let myself go, and I cannot afford to let my son down.  

I love you, Tanner!  Keep reminding me, and we'll stay healthy, together!

{Apple Pancakes}

For many summers, we'd head to the ranch in Robertson, Wyoming, to spend long, fun, and adventurous days playing and helping dad and Grandpa Crandall with whatever needed done.  While Grandma and Grandpa had their own house on the main part of the ranch, down the road a mile or two, was the cabin, where we would stay.

Each time we ventured to the cabin, we had to vacuum mounds (not exaggerating!) of dead flies from the window sills, and shake the bed coverings and put them away before we could unroll our sleeping bags on the daybeds in the loft. EWWWE!


Once tucked snugly into our sleeping bags, we'd stay awake for hours talking, giggling, and seeing how far down the stairs we could get before being seen by our parents.  In the mornings, we'd wake to delicious smells and quiet shuffling from the feet of our dad, getting ready to read a book, or get breakfast ready. 

A typical breakfast consisted of plates with sausage, scrambled eggs, piles of toast, and stacks of waffles.  Cold cereal was a treat to be enjoyed only on Christmas morning!  However, if we were really lucky (aka: we had guests - like cousins, or other friends up for a weekend) we could count on {Apple Pancakes}.

These are simple, filling, and delicious, for even the pickiest eaters!

I usually make the syrup first.

Dump into a small saucepan:
1 cup sugar
2 Tb cornstarch
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 cups apple cider
2 Tb lemon juice
You will also need Sour Cream (just have it on hand...  It does not go into the syrup mixture!)

Stir the syrup with a wire whisk so there are no lumps (I actually stir the dry ingredients in the pan before adding the wet, to avoid lumps) until thick  - almost like gravy.  Allow to thicken on stove top for 1 minute, then remove from heat and add 1/2 cube of butter.  ...mmm...  I never said this recipe was low fat!  Set this aside and be ready for some yummy goodness.

I use Krusteez pancake mix, but you could do any mix...and grate one apple into the mix.  I like to quarter a green or yellow apple and core it, then as it's grated with the peel up, the peel is left behind.  Gently mix that grated apple into the pancake batter.

Pour and cook your batter as you normally would.  Caution:  if the batter is too thick, you'll end up with clog-cakes...too thick to choke down!

This is the best and most odd part:  Instead of putting butter on your pancakes after they're cooked (remember that 1/2 cube we dropped into the syrup?  Yeah.  It's melted and yummy now.) spread the desired amount of SOUR CREAM on your pancake.  This means that if you're chicken, you can put a small dollop, or if you're a die-hard, you can frost your pancake.  My once chicken husband is now a die-hard.  Then you pour the cinnamon-apple goodness on top of it all, and prepare yourself for the most invigorating pancake experience of your life. 

Now I dare you to try this...and let me know how it goes!!!  Your kids wont even know there's apples in their pancakes and they don't have to have the sour cream.  In fact, the above ingredients are enough for our family of four to have apple syrup for a few days, and we'll make pancakes without the apples, just to switch it up a bit.

I hope you enjoy what has become one of our family favorites!!!

{Such a Delight}

I had a favorite great-aunt growing up...My Aunt Hortense.  She and my dad shared the same birthday; June 1st.  She was an incredible gardener, seamstress, quilter, baker, an avid BYU fan, and a lovely lady.  She lived only a few blocks from our home, so we would ride our bikes to her house on Summer Sundays, with our parents not far behind, usually pushing a stroller or pulling the red wagon.

I remember thinking her house was beautiful.  I loved the way it smelled.  I always thought it was odd how she didn't have a light fixture in the middle of her living room on the ceiling, but she compensated by having lamps in almost every corner.  I loved playing in her lush, green, whimsical yard.  I always felt like a fairytale princess surrounded by trellises, neighborhood swing sets, and irrigation ditches to her large vegetable garden.  It was heaven to go to Aunt Hortense's house.  In fact, we would BEG our parents each week if we could go...and promised that we would also be good while visiting the Springville Art Museum and Great-Grandma Birds, just a block or two away.

Two of my cousins would frequent our neck of the woods in the summer, to either play in our ponds or visit their grandma.  Usually, when we were done playing in the cold springs and tired of being chased around by my brothers and other cousins, we'd call aunt Hortense to come and get us.  She'd come and visit much to long with my dad, as we were wanting out of there and over to her house, and Megan, Chelsie and I would hop in her trunk to ride back to her house.  Between the two houses are two sets of railroad tracks...and they weren't smooth sailing back in the day.  To this day, running over a small cottonwood would probably be less of a hassle.  More times than not, that trunk would bounce us up and down, securing our fate of being locked in the trunk!  Oh, how we would giggle and pretend it was the end of the world!  And after going through the final dip before Aunt Hortense's house, we'd sigh, knowing the ride was coming to an end.

I have many fond memories of me, Megan and Chelsie having sleepovers, playing dress-ups in vintage formals, with nothing to fill the busts of the dresses!  We would make ourselves sick with snacks, and go so far as to read all the expiration dates on all the packages of Kool-Aid until we found one fairly recent, yet still 5 years older than we were ourselves.  If I recall correctly, Megan pulled out a big container of sugar and we dumped cup after cup into that pitcher of water and red Kool-Aid, and begin to gulp it down when we realized that we had put in cup after cup of salt.  We were sorely disappointed, and afraid Aunt Hortense would find out and make us drink it all!

It was with my Aunt Hortense where I learned to sew fabric yo-yos, make levi quilts, and signed up for my first sewing class, where we made a denim drawstring bag and LINED jumper with Megan (Do you remember those Megan?  Seriously, the funnest time in a sewing class a 10 year old could EVER have!).  In fact, I just washed that denim bag last week, as it holds our emergency diapers and wipes for the car.  Megan and I used to sew on Aunt Hortense's old Black Singer sewing machine any chance we could get.  It had a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch.  I don't even think it had reverse unless you turned the hand wheel backwards.  

Oh, the memories!

One year for my dad's birthday, Aunt Hortense gave him a Tupperware container with a cutout recipe from a confectioner's sugar bag.  And to this day, it has been THE BEST birthday present, in my opinion. 

The recipe was for {Lemon Delight Pound Cake}, and it is divine.  Every year since, this is the cake my dad gets for his birthday cake, and that Tupperware is how we store any leftovers, which rarely happens!  (The tupperware works like this:  you put the cake on a plate, the plate in the LID, and use the container to cover the cake.  Genius, I know!)

I use my pampered chef batter bowl and a hand mixer to get this baby going...and it's TOO easy to be as good as it is!

In the bowl, dump in and mix.  Yes, you read that right...no separating, sifting, or blending...just dump and mix.  
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup orange juice (already made or apricot nector - I've even used pureed peaches)
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp lemon extract (not to be confused with lemon juice)
4 eggs

Mix on low, till all wet is mixed with dry ingredients...should be smooth, but not full of air.

Pour into a greased bundt pan. I've used Crisco and flour many times, but I've since caved, and now use Pam. 

Bake at 350 Degrees Farenheit for 40-50 minutes.

Then there's the Glaaaaaaze.  :)

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice (not to be confused with the extract)
(sometimes I play with these ratios...cause I like THICK glaze on top and RUNNY glaze on bottom...you'll see why in a minute; so I start out with a kind of creamy, thin glaze...)

Upon pulling the cake from the oven, immediately poke holes in what will be the bottom of the cake...I like to use a fork, about every inch or so.  Pour runny glaze over the cake, and let it soak ...  for a minute or two, then reverse the cake onto a plate (if you want to be a genius, then make sure the plate will fit in the lid of your Tupperware BEFORE hand.)

Then, take what thin glaze you have left, about half, and add some more powdered sugar to it, making it thick and almost creamy...and drizzle it over what is obviously the TOP of the cake.

It should look like this:

And if you're like our little family, we can't wait for it to cool...

And within minutes, it looks like this:

I have to admit, that the BOTTOM of this cake is the BEST part, because it's saturated with the glaze and ooey-gooey.  And as kids, we'd have to arm wrestle our dad to lick the plate.  I know.  We're obsessed.

So, now you have six months to perfect his EASY cake recipe for your next summer birthday or summer snack.  Although it's good warm, it's fabulous cold for breakfast on those lazy summer mornings.  It has eggs in it, and they're healthy, right? 

this morning i...

finished this.

i'm not too super happy with it.  after looking for the right frame for almost 2 hours, this is what i came home with.  it's not what i wanted, but i guess it works.  i was looking for a 3 inch, unfinished, 8 x 8 inch frame.  whatever.

what do you think?  i think i need to hang it with a red or pink ribbon because i have an ugly brown front door...  and i know that it's not centered.  when you do something without a pattern and measure over and over, you kinda loose it...obviously i lost track of measurements...or something. 

Have you ever seen...

...such beautiful eggs?

My parents brought these up, along with some other goodies (like beef, potatoes, and little bags of Cheetos for the boys), on their way to the Rexburg Temple yesterday.  

Aren't we the luckiest kids alive?! 

FRESH green & brown eggs!  

These are home-grown eggs from my daddy's chickens.  I have no idea why some are blue and some are brown, but they sure are fun to have around, and they taste DELICIOUS!   I can hardly wait till Easter to dye some...I hear they turn out richly colorful! 

♥ Thank you, Mom and Dad!  ♥

What I've been up to...

So I caved.  I skipped Scout Roundtable.  I came home to finish a project.  I enjoyed it.  Thoroughly.  I took pictures and uploaded them, so I thought I'd quickly post them...along with many others from the last few weeks.

What I did at work...during a huge (and long...not boring, though!) meeting, because I don't have web cam.  On the bright side, I was able to type efficiently with my thimble on, to keep up with questions asked.  I rock.

What I did when I got home, because I decided that it would fit better in a frame to hang on my front door in celebration of Valentine's Day  (more pink and red goodies coming up!).  I can hardly wait to find a frame tomorrow! 

What I finished last week, from Christmas break.  Completely pieced, quilted, and embroidered by hand.  I love it.  I love my thimble...it saved me many blisters. 

What we did two weeks ago when the boys had croup.  You got it!  Doctor's orders:  PLAY OUTSIDE.  So, that we did!  We had so much fun, it was hard to contain our excitement for the entire 45 minutes of freezing-ness.  They boys loved it.  Ryan loved it.  I loved it.  

What we did last Saturday, to get out of the house so Daddy could work on his thesis that he's planning to defend on March 18th.  It was a fabulous mother/sons date.  I was thrilled to finally get some frozen yogurt that I had been craving from Millhollow in Rexburg...unfortunately, I got the wrong kind.  It had been too long. 

What we did on Monday, since Daddy was mediating, and I stayed home to do six loads of wash.  I failed at my new year's goal and let them sit in the hampers, clean, for almost a week (they're now folded AND PUT AWAY), but succeeded in making two little boys' days.  I love them!

So there you have it!  What I've (read "we've") been up to...now I can breath, and go to bed.

♥♥♥

As mentioned above, stay tuned for a fun Valentine's table runner and hopeful Valentine Sweets!  I am so giddy about both of these projects, I just may start staying up late again to finish these projects up!

Mweeehhh...

I have a lot of cute pictures from the last three weeks.

I don't have the energy it requires to upload them, crop them, and write a new post.

In fact, I'm lacking the motivation to even blog right now. 

I'll get on and read all of your posts, but when it comes to being creative and writing my own, I just don't have the strength it takes to sit upright in a chair and type more than I have to.

Ask my coworkers....My secretary walked into my office yesterday and I was in a coma in front of my computer.  : /   Not a good image if I want to keep my job. 

Going to bed before 9 and sleeping til 7 just isn't cutting it anymore! 

So, if there are a lack of posts on here, that is why.  No energy.  No motivation.  No nuttin'. 

{Cherry Cream Pie}

I promised Ryan I would make him some Cherry Cream Pie, just because he was craving some...and I know how cravings are...need it now, and not later!  Plus, he's been working REALLY hard on finishing up his thesis, so I thought he deserved a little sumpin' sumpin'. 


Well, later on in the week (today), he asked if he could have some of said pie, so I rushed to the store to buy a grahm cracker crust, because I lacked the motivation and energy to make a pie crust from scratch.  Pathetic, I know...

But it turned out just as good!

This is one of Ryan's all-time favorites.  The best thing?  It's easy-peasy-nice-and-cheesy. 

Filling:
1 pint of whipping cream
 - whip till it's not quite stiff...almost but not quite

1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 Cup powdered sugar
 - cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar

 - combine whipping cream and cream cheese mixture
 - mix well

 - Pour into cooked and cooled pie crust OR pour into grahm cracker crust
 - carefully pour 1 can of cherry pie filling on top, and spread evenly over filling
 - refrigerate for at least 1 hour...longer is better

No need for a plate, just dig right in!

Sweet Boys

Tanner has taken to sitting in Taylor's high chair for meals.  He knows he's not supposed to, and so today, he thought he'd sweeten his little brother up a bit.

This is what I overheard as I was finishing up dinner:

T: "Taylor, come over here."
t: "What."
T: "I want to tell you a secret."
t:: "What."
T: "Come here and put your ear close to mine."
t: "What?"
T: "Taylor, I love you."

Taylor had a huge grin his face as did I.

Tanner said to me, "See mom?  He didn't even get mad that I was in his highchair."

Well done, son, well done.

__________

Growing up, my dad would wrap us up in his arms and say, "Let me tell you a secret."  So we'd put our ear close to his mouth and he'd whisper, "I Love You." And we'd grin from ear to ear.  My dad does this to my boys, and they love it.  I love it. 

Then he'd ask, "How come you're so cute?"  And we'd say, "Because I'm like my daddy."  I have yet to get my boys to say that one.  :)

Silliness

We had simple Banana Splits after dinner tonight, while watching Toy Story.  I thought I'd be a fun mom and let us all eat 'in front of the movie'.

I was helping Taylor by holding his bowl and feeding it to him because it was an utter mess.  I set his down to take a bite of mine and he picked his up, but I gently took it away and started to give him more...

At that moment he threw his head back into the couch cushions, very upset.

I asked, "Taylor?  Are you crying or sulking?" In a joking tone of voice.

He sat straight up and said, "I sulking." and threw his head back into the cushions once again.  Ryan and I were laughing so hard I spilled my ice cream all over myself.

Silly Boy!