5 Toy Tips

I've been asked by a few friends how we do toys.  I am not gonna lie.  I have a strong (all be it's less strong since actually becoming a mother) opinion on toys and which ones we want Gentry to play with.  I have been able to use my minor in Child Development as well as 3 years experience as a preschool teacher to help us make decisions for our family.  I stress the "our family" part.  This is what has worked for ours and I am in no way knocking the way you manage yours.  I do hope to help someone who needs some guidance. Here goes my top 5 guide to toys.

1. Limit Electronic Toys

We are in the digital age.  Our kiddos don't have to be.  I love my i phone.  I love my blu ray and computer and there are times that Gentry has used all of them.  I have given Gentry my i phone and I have 3 apps on my phone just for her.  That being said.  I don't use electronics as a baby sitter.  It's a treat to get to call Elmo (or Meemo as she calls him).  She watches 3 or so shows a week and I use the term watch loosely.  Most of the time if she has my phone it's to listen to her playlist on i tunes.  I also limit the talking toys.  She has her fair share but I wanted to make sure if it was electronic that it was teaching her something and not just making noise to be appealing to buy.  In fact I've taken back a few electronic toys because I didn't see the point.  It's hard to find toys that don't flash and make noise for infants.  I looked at it this way, my child is seeing the world for the first time.  That should be stimulation enough.  I don't need to put something artificial in her line of vision for her to be content.

Favorite Electronic Toy: My Pal Scout

I love that it says her name.  I love that you can use your computer to change the songs.  She first learned Patty Cake from Scout.  I like that you can put in her favorite food and color and I love the lullaby music.  He is in her crib every night to sing her to sleep.

Least Favorite: Bright Starts Phone

There is really no point.  It's plush. You can barely hear it.  What do you do when the battery runs out?

2.  Less is More

I hate to see when a kid has so many toys they are overwhelmed and don't appreciate them.  Right now I rotate most of Gentry's toys.  I always make sure she has access to dolls, blocks and cars.  Bigger toys like her "home" center and ball pit are rotated out.   It's nice because she forgets about them so when I bring it out again it's like new again!  I use the rotation of toys the same way a parent would use the TV to get something done without a little person at your heels.  I put toys in her closet or for her smaller toys I use old wipe boxes to hold them.  She is old enough now that she brings me a box that she wants opened.  This way the toys aren't just all in a bucket.  She has a box of finger puppets, 2 sets of blocks, tea set, doll accessories and balls.  Seriously.  She has a few other toys that tend to stay in the closet more than out because they are electronic.  Right now her favorite toy is an old box.  In a few days that will go in the trash.  I also clean out plastic bottles and tubs for her to play with before they are recycled or thrown away.  They tend to be favorites.  She can spend a whole morning sitting in a box and moving her blocks from one tub to another.

3.  Cars and Dolls

Girls should play with cars.  Boys should play with dolls.  I get so much joy seeing my kid go back and forth from making car noises while rolling them on the coffee table to patting and kissing her baby.  It's important for kids to play.  Dads, playing with dolls and dressing up will not make your son gay.  But it will make them loving and caring people.  The End.  

Favorite Doll: Ruben's Barn Baby

 

 Gentry loves her Erik!  This doll is 100% washable, weighted and is adorable.  They are also anatomically correct.  Just a warning!  I will say my kid never wants him dressed so Erik is usually in all his glory.  I have yet to have a kid giggle or ask me what's that when they see Erik.  Adults on the other hand...

Favorite Car: Wheelies

I can't get enough of Gentry's car noises.  I just love to hear her revving the engine...where do they get this stuff.

4.  Stay away from Characters

It's not that I don't want my kid to know about Disney Princesses or Doc McStuffins.  I just don't want her to live by them.  When I buy toys I intend for most of them to be used by subsequent, yet to be gendered, kids.  For that reason I want to stay away from character hand me downs.  So no bedsheets, clothes or toys with a certain character whom may be unrecognizable to the next kid.  I am sure she will get some for Christmas and Birthday but I won't be a contributor.  That being said.  If she wants to dress up like a princess.  I won't stop her.  If she wants to be a cowgirl.  I won't stop her.  Even if your kid is all about Mickey Mouse or Cinderella please, please, please, I am begging you, do not stock up your kid's library with character books.  They are made to sell and usually don't have an age appropriate story line attached to it.  There are so many great books.  Leave Cinderella on the screen.  

5.  Put it Away for a Rainy Day

I learned this awesome tip from hours of baby sitting as a teenager.  One of my regular moms told me if the kids were bored (it was a rainy day) to grab a toy from the secret stash.  This mom wouldn't let her kids open all of their toys at their birthday parties and at Christmas time.  She would put them away and get one out on random days.  The kids were usually so overwhelmed with all the toys anyway that they didn't even notice that some were missing and they were totally pumped when a new toy was brought out.  I've already started this trend with Gentry.  It has also come in handy because some toys are just a fly by night fad.  If you don't open it, take it back and get a more classic toy that can be used for multiple kids.  

Bonus Tip:  Throw it Away, Put it Away, Give it Away

If it's broken beyond fixing.  Throw it away.  Don't keep it in the toy box junking it up.  (exception to this is if it's almost fully skinned puppy dog, ask my brother)  If your child has out grown it but a sibling may use it.  Pack it away.  I have already packed away some toys.  I try and put toys away by age.  If you don't want your current or future children to have it, give it away.  Think, Mc Donald's toys.  Pack them up and ask if your child's teacher wants them for BINGO prizes.  (your kid may get it back but just stick it back in the give away pile when they aren't looking ;)  Thanksgiving is the perfect time to talk about being thankful for all we have and doing a great big clean out of toys to give to your local charity.  That way you are ready for more toys.  

I know I didn't talk about specific toys too much.  If you have questions on a toy just ask.  I've done a ton of research.  I already have a majority of Gentry's wish list for Christmas all ready (mostly because i am cheap and need to budget).  I hope this helps give you a direction to go when you are walking down the toy aisle!  

Coupon Clipping

It's my new hobby.  Scratch that.  It's my new habit!

If you really want to get me all riled up just ask me how to save money at the grocery store.  (oh my, when did I get old?!?!?!)  No, really.  I love it.  I call my mom every time I leave the store and tell her how much I have saved.  Right now, she is the only one who gets my joy!  Let me share with you what I have been doing the last 3 months or so.

Before I take you step by step I have a few tid bits to share.

1.  It takes a little time.  Not only the actual retrieving of the coupons but also the accumulation of coupons.  When I started I was saving about $5 a shopping trip.  I went to the store today and saved $38.  (both times I spent about $50)

2.  You will need to "invest" in a few items.  I have a coupon holder that I keep in my purse so that I have the coupons on me at ALL times.  I also buy about 2 Sunday papers a month.  My total investment a month is $3 but I save (a modest estimation) $150 a month.  We spend $200 a month on groceries.  (that is for about 25 dinners, snacks, 20 lunches, most cleaning and personal hygiene products)

Now are you ready?  Here is what I do:

Step 1:  Clip the coupons.

There are 4 major coupon inserts in your newspaper.  Red Plum (RP), Smart Source (SS), General Mills (GM) Proctor and Gamble (P&G).  They don't come every weekend so I sometimes buy the paper when there are only 2 inserts and ALWAYS buy the paper when there are at least 3.  How do you know when that is?  Here is a handy link for the 2010 Insert Schedule.  I have also signed up on some coupon websites.  They are free of charge and have pretty darn decent coupons.  Not to mention that P&G mails samples!  God love samples!  I use Coupon.com, pgeverydaysolutions.com, and sometimes couponbug.com.  Out of pure laziness, I only clip coupons online about 2X a month.  I don't clip coupons for products I DON'T BUY!

I almost exclusively shop at Kroger.  The reason for this is because of the Kroger Plus Card.  I know what you are thinking!  "That just gives them the excuse to hike up the price and I can get it cheaper at Walmart."  Well you are right!  You are right that is, if you are the average shopper.  If you use the program to it's full extent than the savings easily beat Walmart's prices (not to mention that Walmart gets a ton of your money because it is a Super Store).  I have logged my Plus card in at Kroger.com.  This allows me to "electronically"  put coupons on my Plus Card.  That's right.  All I do is buy the product and the coupon is used when I swipe my card.  Handy.  This is a fairly new concept so there aren't a ton of coupons on there but more are added every week.  There are also coupons that you are able to print off from the site.

Step 2:  Look at the AD

Every Wednesday the grocery stores come out with their weekly sales ads.  This is where Kroger.com once again comes in very handy.  I electronically look at the ad.  It allows me to "circle" the items I want and puts them on a list for me.  I know it sounds like I've spent a ton of time on grocery shopping already but it only takes me about 15 minutes to shop once I am in the store.  Here is the BIGGEST TRICK TO SAVING MONEY!  I make my weekly menu off of the weekly ad.  This ensures I get the most savings.  I then match up my coupons with the items in the ad.  This is where you need patience.  It will take you a few weeks or a couple of months to collect enough coupons to completely make your list with items already reduced AND use the coupons.  Patience, please!  It's worth it.  Here is how it works.

I buy the perishable necessities like normal.  (Milk, plain bread, eggs)
I ONLY buy "fun stuff" if it is drastically reduced and then I stock up!  Anything that I don't NEED right away I stock up when it is greatly reduced AND I have a coupon!  (I only buy Dr. Pepper if it is 4 for $12)
I try and buy our meals for the week if they are in the ad AND I have a coupon.  (Bertolli's sauce was on sale and I had a coupon for $1.00 off)

Step 3:  At the Store

Be on the look out!  The store likes to throw in a few little "extras"!  For example:  I NEEDED bathroom cleaner.  I took out the three coupons I had for different cleaners.  I checked out each one to see which was cheaper to begin with AND which one had the MOST coupon savings.  I had a $1.00 off Scrubbing Bubbles "All Natural" cleaner.  Lo and behold the bottle ALSO had a $1.00 off coupon.  I got a better look at the price tag and it said that if I buy 2 or more of the "All Natural" cleaner line then I will get a coupon for $2.00 my next grocery purchase at Kroger!  BONUS!  I bought the Scrubbing Bubbles and Windex for $5 after using both $1.00 off coupons.  (AND THIS IS WHERE MY ORIGINAL POST WAS DELETED SO I SHALL TRY AND START OVER)  Secret savings like that are all over the store!  Remember though that it doesn't mean you need the item!

The best part of the trip is checking out!  I hand over my Kroger Plus card and ALL of my coupons.  Once you start using coupons the more coupons come out of the machine at the cash register.  On average I get a $3 off of my next grocery purchase (that's just off the top!  It's not with any purchase of a certain product).  Even more exciting,  I get my own personal coupon book from Kroger a little more than once a quarter.  The coupons are for items that I buy often and it is usually for more savings than I can get out of normal coupon clipping.  Off of the top of my head the most exciting coupons have been ( remember I have only been doing this for 5 months) $2 off $10 or more meat purchase, Free Ranch dressing, Free Ben and Jerry's, Free Jello Pudding, $5 off $20 or more meat purchase, 2.50 off Bertolli's Frozen Entree, $3 off next grocery purchase and so on and so forth.

That's IT!  Really, It's not hard.  This was my grocery receipt from today.  Remember I have done this for 5 months.

Garlic Bread-half for dinner tonight and half for a later meal in the week#*
Bertolli Frozen Entree-dinner later#*
Tyson Chicken Fries-Carl's Lunch#*
Mozzarella Bites-Snacks*#
Morningstar Crumbles-my ground "meat" for tacos #*
2 Turkey Sausages-for dinner AND for Covered Dish on Sunday#
Cherry Turnovers-2 for dessert tonight, 2 for another night #*
Dole Salad-something green #
6 Yoplait yogurts-snacks for me*#
3 Artichokes-dinner for me #
2 Hass Avocados- for tacos (TRICKY, TRICKY Kroger had an advertised special for other avocados 10 for $10, these were .69 a piece...watch out for that stuff!)
Milk-for Carl
Scrubbing Bubbles stamps-NEED*
Windex-Need soon. #*
Scrubbing Bubbles-NEED #*
2 Black Eyed Peas-for Covered Dish recipe#
Bertolli's Sauce-dinner for tonight*#
Vinegar-Covered Dish#
Oil of Olay Body Wash-Need#*
Venus Razors-Need*#
Pasta-Dinner and in pantry #

As you can see I only bought one item that didn't have ANY savings.

TOTAL:54.69
COUPON SAVINGS:19.90
BONUS: .40
KROGER PLUS SAVINGS: 16.40
TOTAL SAVINGS: 36.70

PS  Be on the look out for savings at the ends of all your receipts.  I try and enter in most "enter and wins" and I have had 10 free Route 44 drinks thanks to my sonic receipts.  I just call and answer a few questions and they give me a code for a free drink!

Once you have the habit down you won't believe how much money you have been throwing away!

Potty Training Tips From the Woman with NO Children.

I've recently become an expert in potty training. Although I do not have even one child of my own. Five days a week I am responsible for the health and well being of fifteen 2 and 2.5 year olds. Potty training is a big topic in my line of work and I LOVE IT!

I know what you are thinking.

Isn't a nightmare?

All the bodily fluids and solids. All the flushing and washing. All the various states of nudity.

I gotta tell you, it's not a nightmare at all. It's AMAZING!

You have to realize that to date this is your child's biggest accomplishment. This is your toddler's graduation day and it is truly amazing to see them filled with utter elation and pride.

In the last month my class has 4 full blown potty trained kiddos. We are currently working on 4 more. Think about it. Unless you are in the same line of work I am in or your last name is Duggar you probably won't be potty training this many kids in your lifetime. So yeah. I am kinda becoming an expert. So here are a few or maybe a ton of helpful hints.

Is your child ready?

Physically-Your child can physically get himself to the bathroom, take on and off his clothes, has regular and solidish bowel movements and stays dry for an hour to hours at a time.

Behavioral-He hates being wet or dirty, you can tell when he is "going" because he pauses or hides in the action, he digs watching or "helping" you go to the bathroom and he doesn't resist when the subject of going on the potty comes up.

Cognitive-He's got the vocabulary to go along with the various actions, He can tell you before it's too late, Your child is able to follow simple directions.

What, your kid can't do all that? Some of the stuff just has to come with maturity but there are some things you can do to speed up the progress.

Pre-Potty Training

Let your child dress themselves. I am not talking about letting them decide that they want to wear their favorite Christmas sweater with their swim trunks. (Although it is good to let them do that every once in a while) I am talking about letting them physically dress themselves. Start off small. Put their pants on just below their bottom and let them pull them the rest of the way or put their shirt on but let them pull it down over their belly. Gradually let them do more and more. Soon enough your child will be dressing themselves from head to toe.

Let them see your bathroom habits and talk it out while your doing it. Remember, what is second nature to you is all new and exciting to your toddler. Be prepared to talk about "private" subjects. While your are urinating tell your child. "This is how mommy urinates in the potty. After I am done I take the toilet paper and wipe my vagina." Oops. I just ooged you out didn't I? Call it what it is. I prefer the words penis and vagina. Here's why. With so much "potty" vernacular out there some kids call a penis "pee pee" and some kids call urine "pee pee". As you can imagine it can be very confusing to a young child. And let me tell you THEY talk. Potty talk is a good portion of my day! Think about it. They are learning everything! A penis however is a penis and urine is always urine and so on and so forth. Now, that being said if a parent wants me to call it something else I will as long as it doesn't make the child think their body part is dirty. NEVER LET A CHILD THINK THAT ANY PART OF THEIR BODY IS DIRTY OR BAD!!! I can do a whole post on what I have seen in my line of work about adults embarrassing a child without even knowing it! It is a VERY touchy subject for me. Moving on.

At about 18 months you can start getting your child ready to wear underwear! Just add "undie" time right before bath. Don't even mention the potty. Just tell your child that you are going to let them try out underwear. Start out in 10 min increments. Keep adding 10 minutes as you see fit until there is an accident or they ask to use the potty. When that happens have the child help you or watch you clean up their urine and explain to them that "This is urine. You've been putting this in your diaper. Mommy and Daddy put it in the toilet. If you would like you can put it in the toilet too!" There are a ton of reasons for this. First, diapers are too good. They keep your child too dry. Your kid is never uncomfortable. When they urinate in their underwear they can FEEL it. Getting used to that is a challenge in it's self. Secondly, You are bringing up the potty in a non hostile way. This is a no pressure situation. Finally, You can gauge how long your child is able to stay dry which can help you when you are able to aggressively potty train.

OK, so NOW your kid can do all the things on the checklist, so now what?!?!?!

POTTY TRAINING

NO PULL UPS! They are just expensive diapers. Those 4 kids I mentioned that are potty trained in my class, yup, it was all done in regular old underwear. Oh and did I mention that they all did it in less than two weeks. Makes you wanna listen up huh?

Most kids don't like to feel dirty. About eighty six forty times a day a kid wants me to rub the sand off of his hands (RIGHT NOW) because he hates the way it feels but funnily enough he is ok walking around with a hot, stinky load in his diaper. It's because diapers these days are TOO GOOD! They do the job and do it well. Kids need a reason to use the potty. If they feel awesome in a diaper they aren't going to try out your new fangled contraption called the toilet. Out of 4 potty trained kids I had to clean up 6 accidents. They learned pretty quickly that the potty was pretty cool and it was defiantly better than that soggy feeling.

I am anti kid potties too! PEOPLE! Let me make a confession right now. If I baby sat your kid, and they were using a little potty, you better believe that when they were in my caring hands their tushies were on the big toilet. GROSS! I am not cleaning out a little pot! Really think about it. Do you know how much stink is absorbed by the toilet water? Seriously. And what are you going to do when you are out and about far away from the tiny toilet and your kid has got to go, oh, AND they REFUSE to get on the scary huge thing with a hole in it? Now that we have that out of the way....

Take your child to the bathroom every 45 minutes. (Remember if your kid is having accident after accident and you are making a real effort to put them on the toilet every 45 minutes, it's because they aren't physically ready) Instruct and help in the beginning but as minimally as possible. As in "First pull down your pants, now your underwear, sit on the potty...." VERY STEP BY STEP. They are learning. Don't assume they know how it's done. Don't forget the wiping, flushing and washing! The less you do for your kid the better. It is the ultimate reason your kid wants to be potty trained. Independence. It's simple. The more they are able to do on their own, the prouder they will be about completing the task at hand. "All by myself" is a very popular phrase with the toddlers. By the way, no hard to take off clothing for a couple of weeks please. Once your kid gets the hang of it you can start to increase the time between potty breaks.

Know your kid's B.M. (Bowel Movement) schedule and beat them to it with a book! Say your kid has a B.M everyday at 3:30. Well at 3:15 put them on the potty with a good book. Like War and Peace or something. Tell them that you will give them a treat if they sit there and B.M. in the toilet. (If you have to give them a treat to get them JUST to sit on the potty then they aren't ready to potty train yet!) Don't be afraid to give them private time. Even toddlers need some peace to do their business. Oh and when I say "treat" I don't mean Chuck E. Cheese. I mean like 1 M&M or a sticker or raisin. The real "treat" for your kid is the excitement you portray. Act like you just won a million bucks (you will be saving about 40 bucks a months without diapers!), offer to take their picture. No really. Kids think they are really something when they have a picture of themselves beaming at the camera right next to the massive B.M. faithfully laying in the toilet. It also helps you remember how you NEVER want to clean something like that out of a diaper again! For some reason it's like their B. M. grows 10 fold when it's in the toilet verses a diaper. One of those phenomenon's. (Save that picture for their Senior Yearbook Ad, ensure your child will love you forever and ONLY you)

Underwear at times of sleep too! Those accidents I mentioned before included sleeping times too! Ultimately, you know your kid better than anyone. You will need to gauge if they need waking up in the night for a quick pit stop or not. Buy a plastic liner for the bed, or the kid, or both! Again, putting your kid in a pull-up during this time is only going to prolong the whole potty training process (this is of course excluding children with physical problems). Make potty training easy on you. Do it all or nothing! If you were never good at night time feedings and the idea of you dealing with having to change a bed in the middle of the night makes you want to cringe, then make a pallet next to your child's bed the night before. Then all you have to do is change the child in the night. As long as there is a plastic liner then it can wait until morning.

Don't give your child a drink ALL of the time. If your kid is in a child care facility I can pretty much guarantee they aren't hanging out with their sippy cup all day. (Nor would you want them too! Think about how many kids would get ahold of your kids cup and pass them germs!) At home really try and limit the drinking to times of eating or after a hard playtime. This will help you get a hold on your kids urine production.

Finally, just remember, if potty training is killing you then it's not the right time. That being said. If it's just inconvenient and your child is totally into it. Don't give up. You will have a pottier in NO time. Accidents happen. Don't make the kid feel bad but also let them help you clean up the mess. As long as you aren't doing it as a punishment it can be a great learning experience. Please don't hesitate to ask questions or vent. I love potty stories! I hope this helps and I hope I remember all this when I finally DO become a parent!

I feel like this is getting WAY TOO LONG! If I leave something out I will update it later.

Year in Review

January

• My best friend left State Farm Insurance for a job at SFASU. It was the first time in nearly 5 years that we didn't see each other every day.

February

• Made an effort to be more GREEN!

March

• For the first time since working at State Farm I was finally doing what I wanted to do!

April

• Celebrated Easter and Andrew's First Birthday!

May

• CARL GRADUATED and I took him to the Dr. Pepper Mecca!
  
  

June

• I lost my job. It was the biggest blessing in my life so far!

July

• I enjoyed not having a job for the first time since I was 15.

August

• I had my first day at First United Methodist Preschool and I reconnected with my true calling...teaching.

September

• Adjusted to this new, wonderful, semi-grown up life.

October

• Fell in love with 16 toddlers and realized I really want one of my own! (Still discussing the next steps to fulfill that little dream with Carl!)

November

• Went with my brother and husband to get my tattoo for Nini.

December

• Redecorated my kitchen. Thanks to my awesome Christmas present from my parents, a stove.

Top Ten: Preschool

I did it.

I completed my first week as a teacher to an awesome group of 1.5-2 year olds. Thank God it was only 3 days long. That being said, I really can't wait to go back to work on Monday and I REALLY can't wait to see how much these little ones grow over the next 9 months.

That being said here are my Top 10 observations on Preschool:

1. Sticky is a permanent feeling.

2. Parents please think again about putting jelly on your kid's sandwich! It doesn't make it in your child's belly! It does, however, make it on the walls, tables, chairs, toys, floor, clothes, hair, etc. Now imagine 12 kids with jelly! That's 24 sticky hands!

3. Nap time does not equal teacher break. Nap time = wipe tables, disinfect toys, wipe down changing table, sweep floors, empty sippy cups, put art work in folders, pat backs, rock children, eat lunch, potty (for the ONLY time in the day), set out next round of diapers, etc.

4. If your kids come home dirty it means we did our job. Your child played HARD!

5. When your child starts having Bowel Movements that represent a full grown man's, it's time to start potty training.

6. No your child does not NEED their pacifier as much as you need them to need it.

7. All 2 year olds are like the characters on "Jackass". They will try ANYTHING!

8. Snot comes in all sorts of colors...even ones you wouldn't expect.

9. Hair bows don't stay in.

10. The "David" books are can give a teacher 5 minutes of sanity.

BUMP: What I Miss....

Today marks year 5 without her.




Nini,

Can you believe it’s been four years since you left this world for a place much better? I can’t believe it. In fact I believe it less today than four years ago. It’s funny how grief works itself out. It’s the most random things that really make me wish you were still here and that wish is growing instead of fading. I feel like I have to remember and that I am grateful that I have so much to remember.

The Raccoon Soap Dish
The smell of Violets
Your Vanity
Cotton White Hair
Opening Christmas presents in the front room at 7 Park Place.
White Pepper
“Oh Gad”
Nail polish on the Lazy Susan at the kitchen table.
The way you pulled me toward you while we would nap on your bed
Randy Gnome
The powder in the yellow container
Pecan and Chocolate Pie
SHOES! (Your gold, silver and bronze sneakers)
Braums Milk
The maddest you ever got at Evan and me.
Saturdays in Richardson while Mom was with Mr. Huddleston
The smell of leather seats, cigarettes and Kleenex in a hot summer car
Piano music
Your handwriting
Your letters that always mentioned the weather
Shopping trips and lunch at Christina’s
Calling you to take me to school because a pumpkin was thrown through the windshield of my car. Did you know Mom was upset that I called you? She didn’t want me to worry you.
You calling Carl a big Teddy Bear
Abuelo’s
The way you and Lucky had matching hair color and moles
farting dining room chairs
spoons
Listening to Chipmunks Christmas on the record player
Coffee mugs with birds and lipstick stains.

There really is so much more. I just can’t think of them right now. That scares me. Sometimes the memories just come to me. Most of the time I smell something like coffee or violets and it takes me back. Funny enough I usually go back to the Richardson house. I don’t know why. The last time I was with Tyler and Rachel was the first time I realized they didn’t even know the Richardson house! I told them all about it. I told them how much fun Evan and I would have exploring the upper floor and going through Lisa’s things while she was away at college. I just bought Caress body wash and it’s the weirdest thing, every time I use it I feel like I am in the upstairs bathroom staring at that silly raccoon soap dish. I have no idea the connection, but I like it.

By the way, it’s unusually warm and sunny today. In fact I walked to lunch.

Love Always,
KD

Bloggy Fun....The Firsts

I secretly love these blogs....

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?

Never had one. I went to my senior prom with a girl named Stephanie in my History Class. We weren't even very good friends.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
Yes. Everyday. I sleep with him too!
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
shots of something. I was in high school and my friend's dad was serving up the drinks.
4. What was your FIRST job?
babysitting. It was all I did! That's why I am sleeping with my first love!
5. What was your FIRST car?
Le Baron Convertible. Man that was a fun car!
6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
no texts today
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
Carl. He wouldn't get up!
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Which time? That's right I went to 1st grade twice! Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Goldsmith. They were fun ladies!
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
The first one I remember is flying to Houston from Dallas. It sucked. My ears don't tolerate short flights.
10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them?
To my mother's dread it was Tiffany Erdmann. I have no idea where she is.
11. What was your FIRST sport played?
Is Cake Decorating a sport?
12. Where was your FIRST sleep over?
At Tiffany's I am sure. In fact it was a sleep over that ended our friendship. I was over at her house sleeping over and watching TGIF when she got a call for a better sleepover offer and her mom dropped me back at my house.
13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
Carl. I am not sure if HE knew I was talking to him.
14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
My Aunt Lisa's. I passed out the birdseed filled silk flowers. I just remember throwing the empty basket at the get away car. Boy was I in trouble.
15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Went to the restroom.
16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
The Edge Christmas Concert (Bush, Blink 182)
17. FIRST tattoo or piercing?
Piercing was 14, ears. Tattoo was 16, butterfly on ankle in Hawaii
18. FIRST foreign country you went to?
Mexico for a mission trip in college.
19. What was your FIRST run in with the law?
There was this one time that my friends and I were pulled over by a goat cop....I should blog that story....
20. When was your FIRST detention?
Senior year in high school for wearing too short of shorts...the VP had a thing against fat girls.
21. What was the FIRST state you lived in?
Texas
22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart?
Ryan. It was quite a feat seeing as how we weren't dating or anything.
23. Who was your FIRST roommate?
Joey, a vampire fanatic who ate bird seed...i lasted my first year of college with her. Don't go Potluck?!?!?
24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride?
To my Papa DeFord's funeral. Bummer. I know.

Consider yourself tagged!

I

i am: ready for a change
i think: I should go back to school
i know: I am smarter than I once thought
i want: to have a job I love
i have: an awesome husband and cute dog!
i wish: I was 120 lbs less
i hate: lies
i miss: college
i fear: lonesomeness
i feel: like I should have gone to bed earlier
i hear: the phone ringing
i smell: like coconut lime verbena
i crave: chocolate.
i search: to know my God more
i wonder: when I will feel like we are going to be ready for kids!
i regret: not being confidant sooner.
i love: all my families!
i ache: in my ear
i care: for Carl and Tilly
i always: feel hungry
i am not: your typical blonde
i believe: in a God who loves
i dance: like no one is watching
i sing: for God and Andrew :)
i don't always: act like an adult (good and bad)
i fight: when I feel like my values are being destroyed
i write: for therapy
i win: very little
i lose: my mind from time to time
i never: choose cake over pie
i confuse: my husband!
i listen: to Dave Matthew's the most!
i can usually be found: at work or home (boring)
i am scared: that I will never be happy at work
i need: daily affirmation
i am happy about: my husband's future graduation!

Remix

WHAT HAVE THE HANKES BEEN UP TO?!?!?!

Let me break off a little REMIX!

*We had a visit from a Chinese Boy Scout! His American name was Gary. It's the "COOL" American name he picked for his English classes in school! That made me laugh. Carl and Regan gave him a "Cooler" name. B. P. or B***h Puncher. Sounds horrible right?!?! It's funny when an asian says it though! We went out and showed him how we Americans party. At Bullfrogs. Drank beer and played pool. Fun times.

*The next weekend my cousins Tyler and Rachel came for the weekend for some cousin fun! We showed them a good time. Drank beer and played pool. JUST KIDDING! We drank Coke and played Wii! The highlight was playing with dry ice. Kelly gave us some to take home and play with. It entertained all of us for a few hours and Carl made his SPECIAL milkshakes for the event!

* Carl and I went to my parent's house for the 4th and to celebrate my birthday. We had a good time hanging out with my parents, brothers and soon to be sister-in-laws. Tilly was cute as always!

*Finally this is a picture of my beautiful Peppermint Hibiscus. I am so proud that I have kept something alive long enough for it to bloom! It reminds me of Mr. Peppermint. Does anyone remember that children's show? I think it was only for the lucky kids in Dallas! Mr. Peppermint ROCKED!

P.S. A picture of Andrew for good measure!

Saturday at Walmart.

Some people hate it.

Some people hate it but I love it.

Walmart on a Saturday afternoon. Not just any Walmart. Walmart in a small town such as Nacogdoches which has even smaller towns nearby with no Walmart for miles. This is the day that all the small town folks from cities such as Chireno and Alazan come to spend the DAY at Walmart. This Saturday was no different.

I went to Walmart because I was in search of a filing cabinet along with a small list of groceries. I walked in and headed to the material and craft department (a weakness of mine no doubt brought on by the genes i recieved from my mother) I was looking for the perfect material to cover the filing cabinet so that we can use it for a bedside table for our guest room. (I didn't find it) While I was in the department I heard over the intercom that there was a "Code Adam". A "Code Adam" I soon found out was Walmart lingo for a lost child. I listened over the intercome in humor as the story unfolded over the intercome. It was funny because once they found the kid they couldn't find the kid's parents. That went back and forth for a while. I giggled.

As I went through the store I watched the many different people roaming the store. There was the young high school couple having a date at the McDonalds (real classy). There was the family with a million kids and a million shopping carts full of a million gallons of milk and they were all dressed in denim. There were the husband and wife team in leather and tattoos in sleeveless shirts very bikeresk minus the fact that they also had matching complementary riding shopping carts. I even saw a lady talking to the candles like they were her best friends!!!

You get the point but the mother of all things happened! I saw him. He was standing in the frozen food section by the ice cream. I didn't know who to call. I tried my dad. No answer. I called Ryan and Kelly. No answer. I called Carl. No signal. (He was in the middle of nowhere for Council Retreat) I stared in disbelief and then I gawked in utter shock that no one else noticed! Elvis was in the frozen food section at the Walmart in Nacogdoches Texas!!!

Elvis is alive.

I saw him.

I Celebrate the Day....

The Christmas spirit is full swing in me! I love decorating the house and attending the numorus holiday parties. This month I have attended 9 Christmas parties and 2 graduation parties. I love it. I think I get my party nature from my mother. Just tell me what to bring and I will be there attitude certiantly comes from her. Now sharing new and daring recipes at the party came from my dad! Tonight's party I will be breaking out a new and old recipie. I have a standard bean dip that I take with me EVERYWHERE! People love it. I love it. It has cream cheese in it. That's why it's so popular. I still say there isn't anything you CAN'T put cream cheese with. I challange anyone to change my mind!



I have been able to dodge the negitive attitudes of the Scrooges that come into our office. I have not let the unaturally hot for this time of year weather get me down. I have been keeping a cough just a cough so that I won't be totally sick for the holidays. I have found an awesome new Christmas song that helps me to ward off the negitive energy so many people have around this holiday. The song is called " I Celebrate the Day" by Relient K. I really like it because it reminds me why I celebrate Christmas day. I celebrate the day so I could one day pray for You to save my life

RELIENT K LYRICS

"I Celebrate The Day"

And with this Christmas wish is missed

The point I could convey

If only I could find the words to say

to let You know how much You've touched my life

Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve

And from a lack of my persistency

We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time

That You opened Your eyes

Did You realize that You would be my Savior

And the first breath that left Your lips

Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years

To what this midnight made so clear

That You have come to meet me hereTo look back and think that

This baby would one day save me

In the hope that what You did

That you were born so I might live

To look back and think that

This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day

That You were born to die

So I could one day pray for You to save my life

I pray that the Christmas season will touch you the same way!