Imagination Gone Wild

I've always had an imagination. Always.  I used to make up stories about cars goon down the road, fellow restaurant patrons, and people I observed at the mall.  Not mindless judgement statements, but real (detailed) stories.  Tonight, my imagination nearly had the better of me while J went to buy milk.  We live about 3 minutes from the store, and he was gone for about a half hour.  I changed Lincoln into his pajamas and went to check my phone, and saw I had a text from him right after he left that said, "I love you!"  

He. Never. Does. That.

While I don't doubt his love for me one bit, be just doesn't text things like that anymore...not since he accidentally texted my mom that he loved her bigger several years ago (long story, but we have the same 1st initial). So it kinda freaked me out.  When I saw it (nearly a half hour later, mind you), I immediately texted back that I loved him too and asked if he's been hijacked. About 10 minutes later, I still hadn't heard from him again.  I dreamed up a few possible scenarios: the Dollar General was held up; he had a wreck and I just didn't know it yet; he decided he'd had enough of my mindless drivel and left me...

Turns out none of them were true.  He came home shortly after with milk and mini Butterfingers.  All is we again...

Mellowing Out

I'm not exactly what you might call laid back.  That's Jeremie.  I'm a high-strung, mostly serious, always in a tizzy kind of girl.  But I'm trying to change.  I don't want to be the one who fusses and fumes all the time.  While I understand that being a grown-up/parent has its own set of responsibilities (and am perfectly willing to accept them as such), I would rather be the mom who doesn't freak out at the ketchupy fingerprints on the dining room wall.  It will clean up.  Clothes can be washed.  Yes, I might be inconvenienced at the moment, but it is a fleeting moment that will pass all too quickly.  I know that I will one day miss having little feet trotting after me to the bathroom or a screaming toddler who didn't know he needed to cuddle with mommy until it was time to cook dinner.  I've been given a gift...one I wasn't sure would ever happen.  But I may never have this chance again, and I am choosing to embrace it.

Who needs chairs?

On one of our snow days last week, Lincoln found himself in a little predicament...

Tuesday Funny

The Twitch

A month or so ago, I developed an eye twitch.  It isn't constant, but it happens every day at least once-always the same eye.  I doubt it means anything significant, but my eye is often "sore," as if there was somethinfn crusted in my eyelashes and I'd been trying to get it out.  I have frequent headaches, but that's nothing new.  

All causes I have found in my research suggest stress as a factor.  I don't feel particularly stressed, but I sure am annoyed by this darn twitch!

Soup's On!

It is definitely soup season around here (although we eat it year round, along with ice cream).  Today, I put together two different potato soup recipes, hoping to blend my favorite parts of each.  I might just have a new favorite!

Here's what I did, for posterity's sake...

Bag of diced hash browns (32 oz, I think)

32 oz container of chicken broth

Can of cream of potato soup 

Salt and pepper to taste

Stir in crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours.  Add an 8-oz cream cheese the last hour.  Stir after 30 minutes, and add 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese.  Stir once more and let finish cooking.  Yum!

Blogger app broke my streak!

I made a post last night about my coveted cupcake, but didn't notice that it didn't actually post until I was attempting to blog tonight.  Makes me mad...it broke my streak!

Meanwhile, someone's in a pickle at our house!

Worth the wait?

Guess where I've been?

Betcha can't buy just one (when you have a coupon)!

They all look yummy, but here's the one I've been pining after...

And it is yummy!

Thoughtful Thursday

Parked Vehicles

Lincoln likes to keep things in rows.  Neat little rows.  He moves these 3 larger toys all around the family room-not always parked in the same place, but always in this formation.  Usually in this order...

Strike 2

Yesterday was MIL's birthday.  We took her out to dinner, then stopped by the cupcake shop for a birthday treat to take home. (Monday is another bake day for creme brûlée...). It just wasn't meant to be, I guess, because they had closed up shop for the night.  Never mind that it was still several minutes before the pistes closing time.  I knew we were cutting it close, and had already come to terms with the idea that I probably wouldn't get what I wanted.  Frankly, I'd have been less disappointed if they were just sold out of my cupcake of choice.

On Snuggles...

Some people snuggle with stuffed animals, blankets, or pillows.  Not us!  Here's what Lincoln likes to snuggle up with...

Piano Man

We start 'em young around here...

Dancing King

Lincoln has become quite the little "dancer."  J and I both have strong musical backgrounds, though in different modes.  Lincoln has TONS of toys that play music.  He has learned his favorites and pushes the buttons over and over until he cycles back to each song as soon as it is over.  And then he "dances." (Translate: walk in circles with a goofy grin on his face.). Oh, and if you join him, he thinks it is grand; but you'd better not stop until he is ready or else he cries like you've broken his heart. 

Ah, adorable. I could watch him all day.

No cupcake for me...

J and I had plans to meet in town for dinner when he got off work today.  Earlier in the week, I saw that Gigi's cupcakes has a new Creme Brûlée cupcake and Friday happened to be a bake day for it.  I don't normally indulge in such a treat, but I was willing to save some calories for my precious creme brûlée.  I was so very disappointed when I walked in 2 hours before closing time to find that nearly all of the day's special flavors were gone already.  Maybe some other time.  :(

Vacation anyone?

On this cold, cold day, I'm dreaming of summertime, flip flops, and walks outside.  Might as well plan a vacation!  We are thinking of going to Georgia...somewhere between Atlanta and Chattanooga, TN.  My little brother is getting married May 31, and we're looking at booking something around mid June.  I know it's early, but I'm kind of excited already.  It's gonna be a loooong winter...

Student Teacher

For the first time in my career, I have a student teacher this semester.  I was a little nervous about it (I suspect I have control issues after doing my own thing my own way for 12 years), but I'm trying.  I just kept thinking about how thankful I was that someone took on a student teacher when I needed them to, and I wanted to share that excitement with a new generation.

But she makes me feel old.  As a matter of fact, she could have been in my first class, if she'd gone to my school.  Wow!

My name is Angie...

...and I am a recent Candy Crush addict. 

I had never played-hadn't even downloaded the game-until I was putting some games on a Kindle Fire that my grandfather got for Christmas and my mom suggested I include it.  Knowing he would likely ask me if he had questions, I downloaded it on my phone to test it out.  

So, why can't I stop playing?  I seem to do okay when I am at work or busy at home, but if I have down time, I want to play it.  If I'm riding in the car, I want to play it.  Maybe I have a problem....

Fifth Grade Funnies...

Did you hear about the guy who was in an accident and lost his left leg AND his left arm?

He's all right now.

I guess I've been having around with 10 year olds too long, because I laughed.  I did.  

5 Day Work Week

My brother and I are both teachers, but in different school districts and at different grade levels.  Today, we were discussing having a "full week" this coming week, and we realized that we haven't had a Monday-Friday, full five day week since the week before Thanksgiving...nearly 2 months ago!  I love my job, I really do, but I hope this semester goes by as fast as the first one did so Lincoln and I can spend the summer playing!

Big boy drinks

Lincoln is a sippy cup snob.  Well, sort of...he doesn't require expensive cups, but he will only drink out of a few specific types.  When we first made the transition, he only liked the cheap "throw away" kind.  We had a cabinet full of cups he wouldn't drink out of and a short stack of cheap ones that worked.  He's branching out just a little now-we have a couple of other types he will use, but still have quite an array of rejects.  

We have attempted to get him to drink from a straw on a few occasions.  He doesn't quite have the hang of it yet, but he's getting there.  His main problem is that he forgets to keep his mouth closed (and swallow) after he's sucked liquid up, and it "escapes."  Last night, he drank from Jeremie's cup (see picture).  Tonight, he consistently drank from my dad's.  We might just try a different sippy tomorrow to see if it can be moved to our approved list!

Dare I try?

I noticed this morning that I've blogged every day this year.  Yes, we are only 10 days in, so not a huge feat, but pretty good considering it was April last year before I had as many posts.  The last time I started a year off like this, I challenged myself to blog each day for the entire year?  Dare I try to repeat the task?  

I think I might...

Progress?

Lincoln developed a "fear" of the tub some six months ago.  We don't really know what triggered it.  We have tried changing some factors-changed the shower head out so we could rinse him off without getting water in his face; got new toys; J got in the tub with him; we even put a swim diaper on him to let him just think he was playing.  Nope!  The boy wants nothing to do with a bath.  It's the only time I've ever heard him scream like that.

He's all about taking a shower, though.  If he follows one of us I to our bathroom for any reason, he goes straight to the shower and stands by the door.  The problem with this is that it takes both of us.  Every single time.  

Last night, after church, I was changing clothes and Lincoln was reaching for his bath toys on the side of our tub. So we put him in.  He played there for a while, and whined when we made him get out.  I guess that's progress.  

We'll have work our way up to adding water...

Go Tops!

Lincoln went to his first WKU Lady Toppers game today with my mom and grandfather.  Mom said he did great!

Back to work...

I have to go back to work tomorrow.  We got two "snow" days this week, and then I had to take off the last day before break because my parents went on a cruise.  That means that Lincoln and I have had one day short of three weeks together.  Rather than bellyache about not wanting to go back to work, I guess I'll suck it up and just be thankful that I have a job that allows me to have this time off.  Or just thankful I have a job, period.

Doesn't mean I won't miss our cuddles, though.  😥

High chair Hi-Jinks

Lincoln has become Mr. Independent lately, and would much rather feed himself than be fed.  Last night, he refused to eat more than about half of his chili until I placed the bowl on his tray sk he could feed himself.  I wish I could say he used his spoon...

And of course, he took his bib off...

Notice the "smear" on the wall.  

This morning, I cut up a banana on his plate and gave him some Cheerios while I was sorting laundry.  When I heard him whining (usually indicating he's finished and ready to get down to play), this is how I found him:

Hands folded, plate upside down with Cheerios arranged on "top."  

Yes, this is my child...

Lincoln Goes to Sunday School

Today was a big day - Lincoln went to the preschool Sunday School class instead of staying with me in my class.  He did great, considering he doesn't have a lot of experience being still.  He preferred lining his crayons up to coloring with them, but at least he wasn't trying to eat them!  He stayed in his chair the whole time, too!  I might try sneaking back to my own class next week...

New furniture

We went furniture shopping today.  J had a new entertainment center dreamed up and we went looking for it.  While we were at it, we got new end tables for the family room.  I guess it was time- I bought the ones we have now at a yard sale for $30 (and they came with a coffee table)!

New Challenge

I am thinking of picking up some photo challenges to post on my blog.  I realize it's mainly for myself now, as not too many people stop by anymore, but I've always loved photography.  I wanted to be a photographer in 3rd grade.  My OCD won't let me start a 30 day challenge after a month has begun, though, so I guess I'll be browsing for the perfect subjects until February 1...

Who needs toys?

Lincoln has identified himself as an organizer lately.  He likes to line hints up-canned goods, cars, you name it.  He occupied himself with a bag of groceries for two hours one night while I wrapped Christmas presents.  He'd unload the cans, line them up, then repack them and move to a new spot.  Repeat.  

Today, as we enjoyed a snow and one of our last days home together (as school resumes on Monday), he found a new use for the mixing bowl.  (He usually just pushes it around he kitchen floor, then abandons it and Jax licks it-I don't know how many times this poor bowl has been washed in the past month-not counting the times it was actually used!)

Happy New Year!

We made it just a little closer to midnight at the NYE party last night than last year. As long as this little guy has his cups and shapes, he is just fine!

I'm not really sure what this pose is all about, but these were tr only 2 pictures I managed before my phone died.

Here's to more blogging in 2014!