We went to Michigan last week for Thanksgiving. We drove. I know, I know. What were we thinking. But it was a great trip and we really loved seeing David, Kris, Davney and Nixon. I don't really have any stories to tell just a collection of random thoughts, quotes, snippets to share.
1. There is absolutely nothing in parts of Arkansas and all of Missouri which is why your child will choose that spot to announce he has to go potty "right now!"
2. Favorite quote "Uncle David, you stink. You need to take a bath."
3. Andrew has decided a highway flyover is similar to a roller coaster. So when we are going over one we throw our arms into the air and yell "Wheeeeeee!"
4. I am so thankful we do not have wood floors over a basement in our house. When your 3-year old runs over those types of floors it is really loud.
5. Least favorite moment, Andrew leaning over me at 4:30 in the morning and whispering "Mommy, I ready to get up now." Most mornings it happened at 5:30 but on the way home he was thrown off by the time change and it happened at 4:30....uuuugghh.
6. I am also thankful Andrew does not sleep with us. Not only do he and Adam hog the covers but he also is a bed hog.
7. Finally, I would like to add that 24 hours in a car with a 3-year old is not for the weak. In the future I will remember to pack Valium...for both of us.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Did he really say that?
Kids say the darndest things. It's really true. There is this song by Basement Jaxx, the chorus of which is "Where's your head at? Where's your head at? Where's your head at?" Pretty simple right? Well, Andrew and I sing it pretty frequently and some times replace the words. For example, while getting dressed we sometimes sing "Where's your underwear?" Good harmless fun.
On Saturday, Andrew and I are sitting at a table at the Renaissance Faire waiting for Adam to return with food. There is a young man (about 25 years old) standing nearby. And my son starts singing the above song but with the words "tweaked." The guy looks at me and says "Did he just say what I think he said?" And I had to confirm that he did.
What was my precious baby boy singing, you ask.
"Where's your penis? Where's your penis? Where's your penis?"
Whoops!
On Saturday, Andrew and I are sitting at a table at the Renaissance Faire waiting for Adam to return with food. There is a young man (about 25 years old) standing nearby. And my son starts singing the above song but with the words "tweaked." The guy looks at me and says "Did he just say what I think he said?" And I had to confirm that he did.
What was my precious baby boy singing, you ask.
"Where's your penis? Where's your penis? Where's your penis?"
Whoops!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Holleys Go Camping
So the Holley family went camping this weekend...for the first time. I should say that Adam and I have been camping once but we went with our friends Dan and Carrie who are experienced campers and, well, basically, they carried us. This time we were completely on our own and with a little boy in tow. Wow.
Because we were unable to find a single open campsite in any of our surrounding state parks, we decided to take Andrew to the Texas Renaissance Festival and camp out at the fair grounds on Saturday nite. I am not sure they should legally be able to call it a camp ground. There is no water, no electricity, no lights, no bathrooms (only portapotties), no nothing. They don't even have campsites marked out. You basically pull up and pitch your tent where ever you want.
So we pulled up about 10 in the morning and did just that. We pitched our tent under some big beautiful trees. We unloaded everything and then went into the Fair. We had a great time and then headed back out to our campsite about 5:30.
By 6:15 it was pitch black. Did I mention there are no lights on the campground? So now I am trying to get a meal prepared in the dark. We didn't think to bring a table so the only elevated surface I have to work on is the lid of the cooler. But hey, how much space do you need to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, right? Fortunately, I had packed some snack items (chips and bean dip anyone) and dinner turned out fine.
Then it was time for bed.
Hmmm...the campers next to us were playing Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train rather loudly and the campers behind us had apparently had a little bit to drink and found themselves very amusing. I mean really amusing. But things finally quieted down and we fell asleep...until the train came through. Oh yes dear reader, a train track runs 50 yards away from the campground and crosses several nearby roads. So it had to blow its horn, several times. And a train seem to come by every hour all nite long. And then there was the small airplane that circled the campground several times at a low altitude. Fortunately, once Andrew is asleep nothing wakes him up, the same does not apply to me or my lovely husband.
In addition, when Adam and I bought our tent we were just a 2-person family. And Andrew is an "active" sleeper." I had hoped to put him at our feet but the tent wasn't big enough. So, he had to sleep in between us. I have several unexplained bruises this morning and I am pretty sure he kicked me in the kidneys at least once.
Andrew woke up about 6 am this morning. I know your thinking "Ugh, 6 am? That sucks." Hey, at least it was light outside. We made and ate breakfast, broke camp, and were on the road by 7:40.
It may not have been the ideal camping experience but Andrew loved it and, well, at least it didn't rain. So we have started a list of things we need to take the next time, including a bigger tent and some really good earplugs.
Because we were unable to find a single open campsite in any of our surrounding state parks, we decided to take Andrew to the Texas Renaissance Festival and camp out at the fair grounds on Saturday nite. I am not sure they should legally be able to call it a camp ground. There is no water, no electricity, no lights, no bathrooms (only portapotties), no nothing. They don't even have campsites marked out. You basically pull up and pitch your tent where ever you want.
So we pulled up about 10 in the morning and did just that. We pitched our tent under some big beautiful trees. We unloaded everything and then went into the Fair. We had a great time and then headed back out to our campsite about 5:30.
By 6:15 it was pitch black. Did I mention there are no lights on the campground? So now I am trying to get a meal prepared in the dark. We didn't think to bring a table so the only elevated surface I have to work on is the lid of the cooler. But hey, how much space do you need to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, right? Fortunately, I had packed some snack items (chips and bean dip anyone) and dinner turned out fine.
Then it was time for bed.
Hmmm...the campers next to us were playing Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train rather loudly and the campers behind us had apparently had a little bit to drink and found themselves very amusing. I mean really amusing. But things finally quieted down and we fell asleep...until the train came through. Oh yes dear reader, a train track runs 50 yards away from the campground and crosses several nearby roads. So it had to blow its horn, several times. And a train seem to come by every hour all nite long. And then there was the small airplane that circled the campground several times at a low altitude. Fortunately, once Andrew is asleep nothing wakes him up, the same does not apply to me or my lovely husband.
In addition, when Adam and I bought our tent we were just a 2-person family. And Andrew is an "active" sleeper." I had hoped to put him at our feet but the tent wasn't big enough. So, he had to sleep in between us. I have several unexplained bruises this morning and I am pretty sure he kicked me in the kidneys at least once.
Andrew woke up about 6 am this morning. I know your thinking "Ugh, 6 am? That sucks." Hey, at least it was light outside. We made and ate breakfast, broke camp, and were on the road by 7:40.
It may not have been the ideal camping experience but Andrew loved it and, well, at least it didn't rain. So we have started a list of things we need to take the next time, including a bigger tent and some really good earplugs.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Try, Try Again
In case you didn't know, I have a sinus infection and bronchitis. When you combine those two things with the cough syrup I am drinking these days (which leaves me pretty woozy), I just can't muster the will to cook. So we decided to order take-out tonite. Actually, we placed an order for delivery not take out because I was in no condition to drive. But anyway, courtesy of my illness, I don't really have an appetite these days so I just ordered Spinach Artichoke Dip and Chips.
We ordered from California Pizza Kitchen. I generally like their food. It's not out of this world wonderful, but it's all good. Not the Spinach Artichoke Dip. I just did not like it.
I love spinach. I love artichokes. I love cheese. By all the laws of nature, I should love spinach artichoke dip. But it occurred to me as I was eating this spinach artichoke dip, that I didn't like, that I have never had a spinach artichoke dip that I liked. I have tried it over and over again at different restaurants and I have never liked it.
Perhaps it is not the recipe I don't like. Maybe I just don't like spinach artichoke dip...period?
No...that couldn't be it...could it?
We ordered from California Pizza Kitchen. I generally like their food. It's not out of this world wonderful, but it's all good. Not the Spinach Artichoke Dip. I just did not like it.
I love spinach. I love artichokes. I love cheese. By all the laws of nature, I should love spinach artichoke dip. But it occurred to me as I was eating this spinach artichoke dip, that I didn't like, that I have never had a spinach artichoke dip that I liked. I have tried it over and over again at different restaurants and I have never liked it.
Perhaps it is not the recipe I don't like. Maybe I just don't like spinach artichoke dip...period?
No...that couldn't be it...could it?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Sacred Orange Cookie
I think I have stated before that I am a superstitious (lots of vowels in that word!) person. What I didn't know is that all of my friends are too. In case you didn't know it (and I would be shocked if you didn't), Texas played OU yesterday in the Red River Rivalry. Its a huge game every year that takes place in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl. Very big deal in the college football world. And every year we gather with friends to watch the game.
This year was no different. Us Longhorns are hoping to make it to the national championship this year and so every game is important. Apparently, that has brought out the superstitious side in all of us.
Phil always wears a white shirt to our games. Well he showed up yesterday in a burnt orange shirt but announced that he had a white shirt in the car. The first half did not go well (Texas 3, OU 6). Phil changed shirts during halftime.
Then during the 3rd quarter, Staci asked someone to hand her one of the orange cookies (afterwards referred to as the sacred orange cookie). While Staci was eating the sacred orange cookie, Texas scored its first touchdown of the game. It was clear to everyone present that, in order for Texas to score, Staci needed to be eating one of the sacred orange cookies. Poor Staci was forced to eat (or at least lick) a sacred orange cookie during every Texas possession for the remainder of the game.
I hope Staci doesn't want to lose any weight because there are 6 games left in Texas' regular season. That's a lot of possessions and a lot of sacred orange cookies.
This year was no different. Us Longhorns are hoping to make it to the national championship this year and so every game is important. Apparently, that has brought out the superstitious side in all of us.
Phil always wears a white shirt to our games. Well he showed up yesterday in a burnt orange shirt but announced that he had a white shirt in the car. The first half did not go well (Texas 3, OU 6). Phil changed shirts during halftime.
Then during the 3rd quarter, Staci asked someone to hand her one of the orange cookies (afterwards referred to as the sacred orange cookie). While Staci was eating the sacred orange cookie, Texas scored its first touchdown of the game. It was clear to everyone present that, in order for Texas to score, Staci needed to be eating one of the sacred orange cookies. Poor Staci was forced to eat (or at least lick) a sacred orange cookie during every Texas possession for the remainder of the game.
I hope Staci doesn't want to lose any weight because there are 6 games left in Texas' regular season. That's a lot of possessions and a lot of sacred orange cookies.
Monday, October 5, 2009
It Feels Like Fall!
Actually, it doesn't but I have deluded myself into believing that it does. I love fall. The sound of football on t.v. The appearance of Oktoberfest beer in the grocery store. The colors of the changing leaves and the cool, crisp air. Ok, I made those last two up. I live in Texas. The leaves do change color, but the color is brown and that's when they fall off the trees. And we won't have cool, crisp air until sometime in November. Admittedly, we had a freak weather event this year and on the first day of fall, we didn't get out of the 60's. But that is only the second time in recorded history the temperature has been that low on the first day of fall (and I didn't make that up).
However, despite the fact that it is still 90 degrees outside, the calendar says it is fall and I am adjusting my life accordingly! I have shifted my menu to fall/cool weather foods. We are gobbling up the warming soups and hot toasty casseroles. I have been waiting all summer to make some comforting shepherd's pie and I am not going to let something like the thermometer stop me!
I have placed pumpkins and gourds on every flat surface. I am a complete sucker for miniature pumpkins and cute decorative gourds. I see them in the store and though I try to resist, I end up buying them. And I will continue to buy them until they no longer carry them. You know, cute little gourds aren't just for Halloween, they work for Thanksgiving too!
I bought hot chocolate today and I just can't wait to light a fire. Lighting the fire involves Adam's participation and, since he thinks I am crazy, that might not happen until it actually gets cool outside. Don't you just hate those people who won't join in your delusions? Well whether he embraces my delusions or not, he is getting chili (perfect for those cold days) for dinner tonite.
So to my family and friends up north, I say hello! I am doing my part, along with you, to welcome fall, even if I am wearing shorts and a tank top.
However, despite the fact that it is still 90 degrees outside, the calendar says it is fall and I am adjusting my life accordingly! I have shifted my menu to fall/cool weather foods. We are gobbling up the warming soups and hot toasty casseroles. I have been waiting all summer to make some comforting shepherd's pie and I am not going to let something like the thermometer stop me!
I have placed pumpkins and gourds on every flat surface. I am a complete sucker for miniature pumpkins and cute decorative gourds. I see them in the store and though I try to resist, I end up buying them. And I will continue to buy them until they no longer carry them. You know, cute little gourds aren't just for Halloween, they work for Thanksgiving too!
I bought hot chocolate today and I just can't wait to light a fire. Lighting the fire involves Adam's participation and, since he thinks I am crazy, that might not happen until it actually gets cool outside. Don't you just hate those people who won't join in your delusions? Well whether he embraces my delusions or not, he is getting chili (perfect for those cold days) for dinner tonite.
So to my family and friends up north, I say hello! I am doing my part, along with you, to welcome fall, even if I am wearing shorts and a tank top.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Losing the War
You have heard the phrase "winning the battle, but losing the war" right? I never really got that phrase...until today.
I am being over run by ants. They are everywhere. I have been bit so many damn times I don't have a clear spot on my feet. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but seriously I have been bitten by ants 4 times in the past two weeks. I haven't been bitten by an ant in years and now 4 times in 2 weeks? I think they are out to get me.
It all started out in the garden. I was admiring the lovely cantaloupe growing in my garden, minding my own business, when I became aware my feet were covered in ants. I got about 10 bites before I got them all off. Apparently they wanted to play rough. Well "Game On!" I say.
So I grabbed my Amdro and Terro ant poisons and bombed the heck out of their mound. "Take that you little ankle biters!" I thought to myself, maybe even muttered under my breath. Little did I know this was only the opening salvo.
I next found ants in my pantry and on the floor behind the couch (at least there is food in the pantry, I have no idea what they were after behind the couch). Not only had the ants launched a two-prong assault, but they had moved the battle deep into my own territory. I had to call in reinforcements, namely Adam (hereinafter referred to as "my big guns"). So while I put Terro and Amdro down in my pantry and in the corner behind the couch (both sealed off so the child and the dog could not get to them), my big guns launched an offensive. He sprayed the base of the our slab on the outside and treated the four (four!!!) mounds he found.
Within a day we had the enemy on the run, ok the ants were actually just moving the poison to their mounds, but you know what I mean. By the next day, we were able to pick up the poison. I felt confident we had defeated the ants. Little did I know that my enemy was simply regrouping.
This afternoon, I walked into the kitchen and noticed a long line of ants moving between the back door and the kitchen trash can (baby boy had dropped some crumbs while throwing away his muffin). The enemy was back in force! As I began blasting ants with the bottom of my shoe, I finally admitted the truth. I cannot win. I may be bigger and smarter, but they outnumber me (by a billion to one). Their diabolical queen will just keep throwing bodies at me. I may win every battle, but I can never win the war.
I am being over run by ants. They are everywhere. I have been bit so many damn times I don't have a clear spot on my feet. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but seriously I have been bitten by ants 4 times in the past two weeks. I haven't been bitten by an ant in years and now 4 times in 2 weeks? I think they are out to get me.
It all started out in the garden. I was admiring the lovely cantaloupe growing in my garden, minding my own business, when I became aware my feet were covered in ants. I got about 10 bites before I got them all off. Apparently they wanted to play rough. Well "Game On!" I say.
So I grabbed my Amdro and Terro ant poisons and bombed the heck out of their mound. "Take that you little ankle biters!" I thought to myself, maybe even muttered under my breath. Little did I know this was only the opening salvo.
I next found ants in my pantry and on the floor behind the couch (at least there is food in the pantry, I have no idea what they were after behind the couch). Not only had the ants launched a two-prong assault, but they had moved the battle deep into my own territory. I had to call in reinforcements, namely Adam (hereinafter referred to as "my big guns"). So while I put Terro and Amdro down in my pantry and in the corner behind the couch (both sealed off so the child and the dog could not get to them), my big guns launched an offensive. He sprayed the base of the our slab on the outside and treated the four (four!!!) mounds he found.
Within a day we had the enemy on the run, ok the ants were actually just moving the poison to their mounds, but you know what I mean. By the next day, we were able to pick up the poison. I felt confident we had defeated the ants. Little did I know that my enemy was simply regrouping.
This afternoon, I walked into the kitchen and noticed a long line of ants moving between the back door and the kitchen trash can (baby boy had dropped some crumbs while throwing away his muffin). The enemy was back in force! As I began blasting ants with the bottom of my shoe, I finally admitted the truth. I cannot win. I may be bigger and smarter, but they outnumber me (by a billion to one). Their diabolical queen will just keep throwing bodies at me. I may win every battle, but I can never win the war.
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