Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary to us!

We're such party animals around here. We're bringing in the new year and celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary right here at home by having a fabulous dinner of pizza, entertainment of our new Guitar Hero game we got today (I totally rock at vocals, apparently I don't have the coordination for guitar or drums.) and finishing it off by watching Dick Clark's (bless his heart!) Rocking Eve. We may be old, but we are still having fun.

Happy Anniversary my love!

1991 

Ok, I may have only been 15, but those are my sister's cabbage patch dolls. MY OLDER SISTER'S!

 2001

Nothing says love like our duet of Round & Round tonight. I love you and thank you for putting up with me! (I know you're keeping me around for my strong vocals!)

PS, Do you realize 2010 will be 20 years since the 1st time we met? WOW!

Well...that was fun. NOT.

About 30 seconds after I hit submit, I was in the bathroom doing things to get ready for my day like washing my face, brushing my teeth, you know those things I know that you appreciate when I do them. Hudson was having a "mommy hold me" moment and the truth is, it was time for his morning nap. I asked Tatum to hold him to get myself together then I would put him down for a nap.

Well, about the time the washcloth covered up my face (to wash my face) I hear a pop and Hudson scream. The blood curdling "I'm hurt" scream. Tatum was sitting on the side of the tub holding Hudson. He was facing her. He flipped over backward while she was holding his arm. I heard the pop, the scream, then my stomach turn. Because let me just tell you, when it comes to trauma emergencies (and yes, anytime a kid gets hurt and it's going to require a dr or hospital visit, it's a trauma emergency) I've been know to handle myself with class, grace and dignity. For me class=throwing up, grace=rambling and/or screaming to the point of not making sense then not being able to speak at all, dignity= crying when it's all over. My blog friends, I'll be happy to report that I didn't disappoint this time around either.

Billy had just got home from Lowe's with materials to build a couple of book cases for the playroom. He was in the basement and could hear Hudson's screams from there (but he can't hear me when I open the basement door and call for him, interesting). By the time he rushed in I was holding Hudson and yelling at Tatum asking her what happened (refer to above the grace part) and realizing that Hudson wasn't moving his left arm. We then make the decision he's going to have to be seen. I'm hoping that it's just nursemaid's elbow. I'd never heard of it til I read Megan's blog Hold It Up To The Light. If I were cool like she is, I could have just popped it back in place myself. But I wasn't 100% sure if that's what it was and I'm pretty sure if it was nursemaid's elbow, I couldn't pop it back in because I'm a goober like that. I have a very weak stomach. Heck, I can't get a splinter out of my kids foot (that's my dad's job..and yes he still gets my splinters out too. He's the master splinter getter outer.) or pull a tooth (Billy's job). I gag at the sight of still and will toss my cookies in a heartbeat.

Tatum, as you know, deals with things in her own way so since she felt so bad she ran.To her room and didn't want to be bothered. 

We load everyone up as is (that will teach me to go 2 days without washing my hair, nasty. I'm cracking up that Anna was in a dress & hair bow and looked perfect.) and head to the dr's office. Dr. thinks it's nursemaids elbow as well and sends us for xrays. He's still not moving it at this point.

On the xray table the tech has us lay him on the table face down and pulled his arm above his head. He screamed. I cried. It was awful. She did a 2nd xray and it was the same position but she twisted his arm a little and viola, back in place. As soon as we walked of the xray room Hudson reached for Tatum's (who had tears in her eyes after listening to Hudson scream) bracelet with his left hand and started playing with it. Like nothing had ever happened. The Dr still looked at the xrays and confirmed that there was no break. And back home we went.

Not exactly the way I had planned on spending my day. And honestly, I wasn't expecting Tatum to be the one to send Hudson to the hospital/dr's office but she did.

Maybe one day I can tell you about the time Anna cut her foot open or when she went down the driveway on a skateboard and ate the concrete face first. Let's just say, I'm good for another 2 years after today.

Fun with trains!

Monday we went to McWane Science Center to see the train exhibit. We go every year and while I stop and try to read and look at the details the girls get bored. This year, Hudson loved the trains.

Hudson stood for quite some time and watched them

Hudson loved the train table. I did not love the older kids that would walk up and take the trains out of his hands. Their parents just let them. I was so annoyed.

He was having a fantastic time. However, the sisters picked up on the bullying and kids taking the trains away from Hudson.

and they came to the rescue..and they took the trains away from Hudson. :)

However, no other kid took trains away from Hudson with the little mamas were around. It's a good thing. Last thing you want on you is two older protective sisters on you.

Next we moved on to the wall where you stand and you can see your shadow. Butterflies fly around and land on you. Hudson LOVED it.

I'm fully aware that his pants are too short. We're in a size dilemma right now. 12 months (or size 1 as this outfit is) is too short. 18 months are too big. So..we either wear clothes that are a tad too little or outfits that are HUGE and we trip over the pants. I'll be glad when he's not in between sizes anymore.

Next we went to get tickets to ride the train outside. I took this while we were waiting for Billy to get the tickets.

Have I told you he's the sweetest baby ever? If I haven't, he is.

Next we went on the train ride outside. Have I told you I wasn't meant to live somewhere where it's cold? Well, I'm not. I hate cold weather. and apparently I hate it so much I couldn't get Hudson's coat on fast enough.

Tatum was thrilled with the train ride by the way.

That hat would probably be more effective if it was over his ears and on his head. :)

Lastly we headed to the basement where Tatum was the only one the that was bravest among us and touched the hammerhead shark.

Anna was too scared to touch it, seeing she's like me & my mother when it comes to animals. Heck, I don't touch any animal (mostly because I'm allergic to any animal with hair) because animals have their own little minds and you have no idea what their thinking. If I won't touch a dog you better believe I'm not touching a shark. One TV show you'll never see me on is "When animals attack" and that's because I don't get close enough to them for them to attack. I love how people's quotes about animals that DO attack is "I had no idea Fido that in him". I'm pretty sure the owner of the chimp that attacked Charla Nash thought the same thing. So, now you know one of my freakish things. I don't like animals. Any of them.

So, back to the subject. We had another great time at McWane. Billy & I are both off this weekend and we've gotten so much accomplished. I'll share more of that later.

Merry Christmas!

(The Christmas Card that I got IN on Dec 23rd. I'm so glad I don't wait until the last minute to do these things.)

 From My Scissor Mafia family

(we are so fun)

to yours

We had a wonderful time on Christmas Eve with our families. Can't you tell Hudson is having a blast?

Anna was doing flips out of excitement waiting on "the man".

and it was a sleepless night at our house due to a screaming baby and a certain flipper that had nosebleeds all night. But the wait was well worth it.

(at 6:00am..why aren't they this giddy at 6:00am on a normal day?)

There was lots of ripping and tearing

and surprises

and smiles

and more ripping and tearing

and apparently paper eating according to Hudson

Lots of loud squeals and screams

which led to Hudson crying and tears as his loud sisters scared the crap out of him.

There was giddiness over a new AG doll and an outfit to match (PS, AG..we need to talk about your clothing. Um..it's ugly. Can't you do better that THAT?)

Then the grandparents show up and there was more ripping and tearing

Lots of coffee and breakfast casserole consumed by said parents & grandparents. Meanwhile..there was more paper eating

and camo to be had by all

(Freaking Anna...and Tatum in her new Toms shoes that haven't left her feet since she opened them.)

There has been lots of singing at our house (I'm pretty sure I won't have a voice tomorrow. But I totally rocked Love Is A Battlefield).

and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Santa & Saydee

Here is Miss Saydee with Santa

Hudson is killing me in these pics...

Hudson: Who is this and what the crap is this on his face?

Anna: What do I want for Christmas? I don't know..I can't even think. I'm so close to THE man. Don't you love my bling?

Tatum: I wish she'd hurry the heck up. I need to tell Santa I want everything!

SANTA...it's SANTA!!!

Said in my best Elf voice. Gosh I love that movie. We went to see Santa and the good news is Hudson didn't freak. The bad news is that Santa at Brookwood Mall. is. not. nice.

Here's my sweet kids with Santa!

Ugh..Why did Santa have to cover up Hudson's outfit?

Doesn't Hudson look thrilled? But hey..he's not crying!

Don't you love Anna's bling! That was her touch...she wanted to look her best for Santa!

She asked for everything : ) Seriously..she told him "I want everything". Way to narrow it down!

Stay tuned...I've got the best Christmas picture EVER that I'm going to post tomorrow and Santa pictures with Saydee!

Wow what a difference a year makes!

Some pics from tonight...

Anna & Hudson are all snuggled up at home

 

while Tatum is cheering and jumping

Why oh why can't I capture her mid-air and smiling? I catch her coming down and making a weird face! :)

Hudson's first haircut

I can't believe I forgot to post that Hudson got his first haircut on Saturday. It was kinda of a spur of the moment decision and all I had was a point & shoot camera (that apparently I don't know how to work because I just can't get good pics from a point & shoot). Anyway...this is new territory for me since I have 2 girls and their first haircut was when they were three! So taking a baby to get their hair cut was all new!

as soon as Ashley put the cape thing on he was checking out everything she was doing.

Before...the baby mullet

 

Ashley was so good and so patient! We like her!

I just like this picture..seeing him in the reflection.

She even let him touch the clippers and he liked them...at first. Not so much once they got close to his ear. That's ok Hudson...I kinda freak when I hear a buzzing sound too (especially from the dentist..I hate going to the dentist).

My big boy afterward...he looks so much older now. :(

 

Ashley told me that it is bad luck to get a boy's hair cut before he's a year old...who knew? Glad I waited then! lol.

Christmas around the world!

In one day! This was the theme for Anna's field trip to WorldSong on Dec 4th. I can't think of a more perfect field trip for "Christmas Anna". She's gotten this nickname due to every day when her eyes open every Christmas light in our house is on within about 2.3 seconds. She *loves* all things Christmas. Billy and I were looking forward to this field trip since this is where Tatum spent a week the past two summers with our church.

Surprisingly enough, this was one of the better field trips as is moved very fast and that's what a little girl that has LOTS of energy needs.

Our first country we visited was Mexico. The kids learned how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico by learning the history of the culture and traditions. They first made a poinsettia from paper. They then got to "squish some stuff" {according to Anna} and make corn tortillas. They washed those down with hot chocolate! Last they got to hit the pinata. After observing Anna on this field trip I did get a laugh that she is always 1st at everything. Getting in line, asking a question, etc. ALWAYS first.

Anyway, here are the pictures from Mexico

Anna and her poinsettia..doesn't she look thrilled?

Anna "squishing the stuff" to make her corn tortillas (which she didn't like..but she did like the hot chocolate)

(for the record, not me in the Christmas sweater)

and hitting the pinata

Before we left Mexico, the lady from WorldSong asked the kids what they eat for Christmas dinner as part of their tradition. Anna's answer was "cake"! : )

Next we went to England. There she made an ornament, a Christmas card and ate pudding and drank tea.

Here daddy is helping her with her ornament

Here she is making her Christmas card.

(and now you know why her lips are chapped...she has to hold that tongue right to get anything done)

Next we went to Germany. Also known as the motherland to Billy. He was pretty excited about going to Germany and was hoping that Anna would enlighten the rest of the class about the German food that Billy cooks for us quite often. Anna's favorite (not) is the crap & wienies. Aka as Krout & smoked (I put smocked sausage..I totally crack myself up. Not addicted or anything) sausage. He was kind of disappointed she didn't.

Anna liked Germany the best. After all she got to decorate and eat her own cookie

Note to lady running the show. If you only want the kids to get one cookie, I don't suggest putting a tray full of cookies in the middle of the table and leaving it unsupervised. My lover of all things sweet child will not be able to control herself and get two.

Next the kids got to color and cut out a wreath and candles.

Notice when I got the picture of daddy participating you can see faces. When I'm participating you can see my fabulous hair and linty jacket. :) I promise those are definitely mine & Anna's hands.

I'm pretty sure I've warned you about these three that have been together since preschool.  Look at how much they've grown in a little over a year.

Since lunch was made up a rectangle pizza, corn and chips that took me straight back to high school, I decided we needed to find a place to eat. Seeing as I didn't eat that crap 15 (wow time flies) years ago, there was no way I was going to eat it now. So, as soon as we left, we went to Irondale Cafe. Also known as the Whistle Stop Cafe. This is the restaurant that Fannie Flagg wrote about in Fried Green Tomatoes. Of course *I* got the fried green tomatoes and they were SO yummy.

 

See that picture of me & Billy in my header? Guess who took that picture? The same photographer that took this one:

I'm cracking up at us..we look like we have death grips on each other. But hey, it's a picture of us together. We don't get those too often.

After we hurried home, we went to Tatum's game to watch her cheer dance. I'm kinda disappointed with this whole cheering experience. A whole lotta $$ and time devoted to cheering but not a lot of cheering going on. Anyway..here is the one picture I managed to snap of her since she was on the court doing the dance for about 30 seconds.

oh and speaking of pictures of me & Billy, we went to a Christmas party Friday night and happened to get this

I wish I had a good full length picture to show you but my sister the photographer kept squatting to take the picture which really didn't make sense since she's a lot shorter than we are so we look kinda crazy because we're trying not to look down but we really are..so no full length picture. :(

So, hopefully it won't take me a week to update again. I'm kinda in a funk and it's hard to write and be creative when you're just BLAH. I'm really thinking I need some sunshine. Probably on a warm beach. : ) I'm in such a funk I haven't even done a Christmas card. Maybe I can pull myself together and get it done this week.