Adolphus Parade

We had a busy busy weekend but such a fun one. We did so much I will have to break it up in separate posts. We went to the Adolphus Parade on Saturday morning (early) and then went home to take a nap and off to another Christmas Party on Saturday evening. We were all tired but such a fun festive day. Then on Sunday the girls and I had a mother, daughter Christmas Tea. Boy if we weren't in the holiday spirit we definitely should be after the weekend. It was so cold on Saturday morning but we braved it and it was so worth it. We met at the Mathis house and headed to the parade all in one car. The girls thought that was really neat to get to ride with Clay and Josh. The parade didn't start until 10:00 but had to get their early and of all the days for it to be 28 degrees but we bundled up and had a blast. (no pun intended) The girls were so excited about the parade. Presley stood up and danced every time a band came around. She was having a ball, while Brooke sat in daddy's lap. I think she was cold because she didn't budge which is not normal for Brooke.She looks like she is so bored in some of the pictures. Brooke's favorite part of the parade was Rudolph and Presley's was Santa (aka Ho Ho). They also liked seeing Max from Max and Ruby(their favorite cartoon at the moment) and Thomas the Train. This was the first time to attend the parade and I think it will be a yearly event. It really is a great parade. The girls were wonderful considering how cold it was outside. After the parade was over we headed to lunch at Cafe Brazil with the group. We met some other friends that also have twins so we had three sets of twins and it was chaos at times. It was a great day and am so glad we braved the weather.

A Birthday For Daddy

Yesterday was daddy's birthday and the girls and I drove to Arlington to pick up a Red Velvet Cake from Red Oven. They have the best red velvet cake ever, after we picked up the cake we went to get Mama's Pizza because that is his favorite pizza and being that it was his birthday I think he deserved it. He was really surprised and the girls loved singing "Happy Birthday" to daddy. They practiced all the way to Arlington. It was so sweet to watch them get so excited.
We are going to the Adolphus Parade in the morning and it is going to be cold. I know the girls will have fun but pray they are not too cold to enjoy it. Clay and Josh will be there and they are more excited to see them than the parade. But I think once they understand what a parade is they will be ecstatic. This will be our first year at the parade and hopefully the start of many memories.

A December Day To Remember

Yesterday was the high light of my year. I went to Pioneer Woman's book signing and had a blast. It was a long wait, a six hour wait to be exact. But an interesting time meeting and talking to people. When she first came out she announced that she would be turning her love story into a book and there was much more to it and that it will be "juicy" were her exact words. So for those of you who are fans you will be pleased with that little bit of information. Borders handed out wrist bands and let me tell you we were one of the last colors and we knew we had a long wait.They also said they bought and sold 700 copies of her book. Wow!
I left my camera in the car and trecked back out in the rain to get it because Cari only had her small camera and we knew we had to get some great pictures and that we did.
I went with Cari and we both had said we were not leaving, we were in it for the long hall. Both of our husbands thought we had lost our minds and we probably did but I'll do it with her next book also. Did I just say that. We thought it would be midnight, oh no, it was 1:15 when we walked out of Borders and we were tired but it was all worth it. She was absolutely wonderful and gracious to see every person in line and sign every book and most people had more than one book. She looked as good as when she started signing books and still had a smile on her face for every person. That must be why no one wanted to leave. At one point they even offered to have people mail their books and she would mail them back after she signed them. I don't think anyone took that offer. Surprising! We were all there to see Ree Drummond. Towards the end of the line I was talking to this woman and she mentioned I Heart Faces (a cool photography blog) I turned to her and said I love that blog. She replied, that is my blog. It was Amy from I Heart Faces.She was so cool and had a wonderful personality. Amy It was so great to meet you and thanks for putting up with us silly girls. You have inspired me to participate in some of the contest on your blog. I am an amateur but heck, you have to start some where. I ran into a few people I knew which makes me realize it is such a small world and how many people follow Ree Drummond.
Cari and I have been thinking of something to get for Ree and we wanted it to be good. So on the day of the signing we both have epiphanies. Cari remembers that her father in law makes cool pens and ornaments out of wood and decides to drive over to to pick the perfect one out for Ree. I was in charge of making the card and while I was making the card I thought I should make her some coasters and I had 40 minutes before I had to get the girls. I made the coasters and I think they turned out pretty great if I do say so myself. I emailed Cari a picture and she thought it was too funny that I just happen to have tumble marble tiles, cork for the bottom and a sealer to protect the stamping on the coasters. But My craft room is full of stuff as most craft rooms are because after all we are all collectors right. Cari and I agreed we both work better under pressure. We didn't get to see her open the gift but I totally understand, after all it was 1:15 in the morning.
Right before we went up to see her, I had heard someone ask her if her cheeks were hurting from smiling and she said, "No, I think I must smile in my sleep because they seem to be fine." See that is how real and precious she is and that is why she has such a following. Only someone like her would smile in their sleep. Too cute!
I was behind her daughter Paige while waiting to get a coffee and she was asked what her dad thought about all this and she said, "he doesn't understand how she became so popular." So sweet!
When we finally made it up to talk to her and we didn't really say what we wanted to say we just rambled on it was like we were nervous ourselves to meet the infamous "Pioneer Woman." I felt like a teenager again, staying up late to meet an idol. Hmmm! Do we ever grow up? It was really worth the lost sleep and I would do it all over again. What a wonderful day in December I will cherish the memories forever.

Science Museum

We spent Friday at the newly remodeled Science Museum in Fort Worth. It is a must see and do if you haven't been. The girls were way overloaded but in a good way. There was so much for them to do we didn't get to do it all. We bought a membership and will definitely be there over the Christmas break if not sooner. I think Brooke's favorite part was the water and Presley's was the grocery store. They even had a dinosaur dig but we didn't even make it to that adventure but I'm sure if it involves sand the girls would love it. We could have spent all day but the girls started to get a little fussy and we knew it was time to go. Presley cried all the way out because she didn't want to leave but of course, she never wants to leave.
They both fell asleep in the car immediately. I would say that the Science Museum was a hit with both of them. It is such a joy to watch that sparkle of wonder in their eyes.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well we finally did it! We got rid of Brooke's pacifier. She would only have it at night. I know, it is about time after all she is three now. I told her when she turned three we would tie it to a balloon and the paci fairy would take it to a new baby that needed it. I decided to wait until Monday after her birthday to send it off for good. Ms. Barbara had given her and Presley three balloons for their birthday and I thought how appropriate, today was definitely the day. So we arrived home from school and I walked right in to get Brooke's paci. I tied it to the balloon
and she started to whimper. I talked to her for awhile and explained the whole process and that a new baby would get her paci and that it was a good thing and she should be happy. I gave her the balloons and she put the paci in her mouth. I told her it was fine to say goodbye to her paci but we needed to let go of the balloons because the paci fairy was waiting for the paci. She couldn't let go of the balloons so Presley offered to let go of them. Brooke agreed and laid on the ground and sobbed. She then got up and ran into the garage and yelled, "Mommy I am mad." I felt so sorry for her at that time I asked her to come and set in my lap and I just loved on her and told her everything would be okay because she was a big girl now. She whined a little when it was bed time but did great. The next night she woke up three times and ended up in our bed. So lets see how well she does tonight. So I have to say I am Thankful this Thanksgiving the paci is gone and now if I could get them potty trained. They both have been wearing panties and are doing great. Presley even wore them when we went to eat but Brooke doesn't wear the panties as much because she just doesn't want to wear them. I think it is because she knows she has to stop what she is doing to take a potty break. My goal was to be pull up free by their third birthday and we are almost there. Hallelujah!
I took these pictures today and thought they were so adorable. Brooke finally let me put her hair in a pony tail. She is the reason her hair looks the same all the time. She doesn't like me to do different things with her hair. She is so adament about it. I can't even talk her into it. So, for all you people wondering about Brooke's hair there you have it the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Enjoy your day with family and cherish every minute.

A Birthday With Friends

We spent the girls birthday at my dearest friend Tammy's house. The girls love her house because she lives on land and they have chickens. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and great fellowship. The girls were shy at first but then perked up and were so good. We sang songs while others played instruments. Brooke was so adorable she sat by Tammy's brother Tracy as he played the guitar an just bobbed her head to the beat of the music. I think she was truly enjoying the music. Presley on the other hand wouldn't leave Tammy's lap. She will take advantage of that as long as someone will let her. It was great to see some of her family members that I haven't seen in a while. The girls fell asleep on the way home, they were so exhausted. It was a great way to spend their birthday with people we love so dearly.
Thank you to Sammy and Tammy for the invitation.