Head of the Class

Today is the day.

Today is the day we take Doodle the Poodle to begin her puppy Mensa classes.

She is signed up for an 8 week group lesson session.

I am not the dog whisperer...think I have mentioned that before. I have taught her to sit, shake, she is pretty much house broken, and I have taught her to walk fairly well on a leash.

With the exception of walking next to storm drains....she is petrified. Who knows...

I am hoping that Doodle will be playing chess soon. I love a good game of chess.

Wonder how many treats that will take.

She really is a good pooch....I just need some direction. So, guess you could say the classes are more for her masters....

I will share Doodle the Poodle's progress over the coming 2 months. I am sure you are on pins and needles to hear all about it!

Now, Sit!

Smarter than you think

We all are guilty.

We all under mind the intelligence of little ones.

I do it, you do it....we all do it.

Hard to remember that babies and children actually understand more than we could ever imagine. Our tone of voice, the look in your eye, what you say.

My 2 1/2 year old has recently started talking about monsters. Several times a day. Who knows where she picked this up...she is too young to be "afraid" of monsters.

We love the Cookie Monster...but she isn't talking about him.

She says he comes in the house, eats her food, and then goes back to his monster house...after she tells him to leave. It is bizarre.

She picked it up from another kid...off tv...or whatever.

I have to constantly remind myself what little sponges they are.

If you say "he is being so bad, he drives me crazy." Don't think they don't understand you.

"He does not like that...he won't eat it." Then, he won't eat it.

"My kid is such a brat" Then....they will be a brat.

What they watch on TV....who they are around....etc....they understand so much.

Just been on my mind lately with the whole monster talk.

So, watch what you say...when you are around little people....of all ages.

I bite my tongue and slip up daily.

Country girls can survive

The words of Hank Williams Jr....just switched boys to girls.

Yes, the picture is fuzzy....I did it that way on purpose....in the interest of my Rocky Mountain jeans.

That was my horse....Pocos Holly Doc. (I was a young teen at the time...so her name spelling may be off)

I was in love with that horse...

My Mom found this picture...showed it to my kid...and she said that the girl in the picture was "a little girl named Mommy."

I really wasn't a country girl...I just love horses...my love of cowboy hats and belt buckles was short lived. I am from Conroe, Texas....and in some parts of that town...those go hand in hand...but, not all parts.

There are days when I imagine living in the hill country...on property...with horses, dogs, and chickens....then I kick myself in the booty and remember why I love my house in the burbs.

Ride em' cowgirl!

Global Warming

2 years in a row...it has snowed in Southeast Houston.

Blame global warming.

During the blizzard, we made cookies. Gingerbread ones....

E placed the redhots.....and wanted to take a bite off each leg....of every cookie.

She was interested....for a bit....then wanted to go inside.

Seems as if she has taken after her father in his dislike for cold weather.

BRRRRRRRR!

now THIS is fun.

"You want a piece of candy? Say pickle! Smile for Elmo! Do you love Wonder Pets? Smile for Santa! If you smile, you can pick out candy at the store! Put your head down, look this way, don't do that with your arm, pull your dress down, sit up straight! Touch the tree! No, not like that! Show me your teeth! Say, I love Christmas!"

This is what I said all afternoon. All while toting my giant camera, camera bag, and keeping my hand over my back so my underwear did not peek over my jeans.

My shirt was too short today....not an appropriate shirt choice to make for bending over taking my kid's picture....but, it was kind of a last minute decision...and I just have so much extra time to spend thinking about what shirt won't show my under roos.

This picture is just an example. 99.9% of my pictures turned out like this. I was sweating when I was done.

Our photographer and I just couldn't get together this year. Fevers, broken cameras, yucky weather, 4 children in the mix, and a 50 mile distance made it kinda hard this year.

So, if you get a Christmas card from us. Keep that in mind. The 100% camera illiterate Mom snapped the pics.

At least my subject is cute.

Do YOU want some candy? I do!

Marlboro Santa

These are the kind of smiles I get now. Head cocked, fake, huge, funny, overly sweet smiles. It is this or a similar smile....with her fists next to her cheeks.

Almost reminiscent of some friends of mine and their party pics from sorority parties. Not being ugly about sororities people....but, you do know the head tilt / smile combo I am talking about.

This was on our way to see Santa.
This is our picture of E with Marlboro Santa.

As we were waiting in line for him to come from his "feeding the reindeer" break....Santa entered the South end of the mall....right by Forever 21....and our child yells out "Santa has a ponytail!"

Sure enough....he did. Just stood there picturing Santa out on a smoke break. Not accusing Santa of any bad habits....just the first thought that came to mind.

So, as we waited in line to see him....Shorty commented on how fast they get the kids in and out.

As I placed my kid on his lap....I soon learned why.

I had to say "Tell Santa what you want for Christmas!" So she followed my instructions and softly told him "A jewelry box, jewelry, candy, and presents"

He gave her a book and off she went.

Good thing I reminded her!

Almost reminded me of "A Christmas Story" kinda....well, not really....but, maybe....

Oh well...you get my point.

Ho ho ho....

Rule breaker

We are rule breakers. We disrupt the ecosystem...

Notice the piece of 2 day old bread in my kids hand....then read the sign behind her.

"Please do not feed the ducks"

Seems as if these two ducks have been fed by humans for a LONG time....they come right up to you....these ducks have no fear.

Took this picture on an afternoon trip to our neighborhood pond....with the Shorty family and my cousin and his sweet baby girl.

After I went back and looked at the pictures....they are blurry. And I have no idea why.

My goal is to really learn my camera. I mean really learn it. Not just the on off button, auto, and how to turn off the flash.

So, in between dog walks, potty breaks, hot dog slicing, vacuuming, laundry sorting, toilet scrubbing, dinner cooking, and Christmas shopping, I plan to know my camera by the back of my hand.

Should take me a few years. I am such a techno genius and I read instructions really well too.

This should be fun!

Smile!