Ten Things I Loved About Last Week

1. Visiting with my grandparents and watching Gavin run around their back porch like I did when I was his age.

2. Savoring my first mug of hot chocolate.

3. Playing with my nephews outside.


4. Lighting my new pumpkin spice candle which I paid half price for.

5. Making chocolate/caramel dipped apples and trying to keep a certain someone from eating them first.

6. Finally pulling out the fall decorations and creating a few new pieces.

7. Baking Summer Brown's yummy pumpkin bread recipe.

8. Watching cowboys tame a horse.

9. Hearing Gavin try to say, "I love you" several times plus listening to his knock knock jokes.

10. Capturing these silly faces.

What a Day!

Today was long in coming for more ways than one. D and I both took off work to take Gavin to a dermatology appointment to check on his birth mark. Gavin was born with the mark running from the inside of his upper thigh all the way down to his ankle. We just wanted to confirm what type of birth mark it is and to have assurance that it wouldn't change in nature. Thankfully all of our questions were answered and Gavin even liked the doctor so much he fed her his Cheerios.

However, when we first walked into Texas Children's Hospital, my heart felt heavy because I knew there were families there with children who were sick or hurt. But I have to say that those families were genuinely being cared about when treated at Texas Children's Hopsital. The staff didn't know we were there for a simple consultation, but so many of them were extremely caring and warm. However, I couldn't help but feel guilty that we got to leave the 8th floor of the dialysis center and head on over the the correct wing of the 8th floor of dermatology while others have probably spent days or weeks there. If there was a place to be when sick, it would have to be that Hospital.

After leaving, we at lunch at Mi Mi's Cafe, one of my favorite places and then went to a huge kids' consignment sale. We found a few things, but not as much as when I had been before. Gavin's size hasn't changed very much, so think he will still be able to wear some things from last winter.

We then headed over to a church's pumpkin patch. I absolutely love this time of year and getting to have a little boy to take pictures of is exceptionally fun. I'm going to share more of those pictures later when I can get a chance to edit them, but here's one to tied the grandparents over with for now.

I think all three of us just reveled in the time we got to spend together. It had been a long time in coming since we had quantity and quality family time.

I Told Myself I Wouldn't

Ten years ago, before D and I were married, he used to contribute to his department's Thanksgiving dinner or other similar potluck function by bringing two cans of vegetables or a bag of apples. I told him once we were married the canned cranberry sauce would be no more. And suffice to say, through the past decade he has brought in broccoli and cheese casseroles, coffee cake and the occasional magic bar treat just because. That is until today.

This afternoon, we were supposed to go to a company party for several of D's co-workers and bring a dessert. My super human husband had to not only take care of his sinus infected wife but also his snotty nose two-year old. So after our trip to the grocery store clinic, we perused the bakery section for something that didn't look too store bought. It took everything in me plus some persuading from my husband to buy an assortment of cookies instead of baking the Almond Joy Cake or the Chunky Chocolate Chip brownies I had in mind.

Upon returning home, I was secretly coniving to half dip the cookies in chocolate but I figured D may have me committed somewhere. Instead, I at least took them out of the box and put them on a decorative plate. Even that was going too far in his eyes.

The medicine and long nap I had while the boys went to the party, left me feeling quite a bit better. Thanksgiving is coming up. I guess I should start planning something. Pass the cranberry sauce!

So Much to Say, So Little Time

See this sweet face?


Vocabulary has been exploding from that little mouth. While Gavin has been saying words for a long time now, in just the last week his speech has taken off. We've been hearing, "please" "fly" "read book" "outside" "Ma sit" "duck" and "bubbles" just to name the few new words I can remember.

We ended up having a fun and full weekend. We didn't get to see all of our family but I'm still going to consider myself busy enough to not get out the Fall decorations yet. You know, it takes a considerable amount of time to keep up with this little fellow.

It's Here!

As of 10 p.m. last night, Fall has officially graced us. Well, it was the night before last if you are reading this Friday morning. I am however, waiting for it to bring on some cool weather, but I'm willing to give it a little reprieve since it's my absolute favorite time of the year. Yep, it beats out even the Christmas season. I know, I know, Bah Humbug!

Last year, I basically spilled my heart out about why I think Fall is so grand in this post. I've surprised myself that I haven't pulled the Fall decorations out of the garage yet, but I think that will happen before the weekend is over. And if not, that's okay too because we have a fun-filled weekend packed with both immediate and extended families. Of course, we'll see the parents, the grandparents, brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews but I'm looking forward to some relaxing time with the aunts/uncles and cousins as well.

And with Fall comes my father-in-law's birthday. Happy Birthday Joe! Hope you had a lovely day.

Thankful Three

1. I am thankful for evening rain showers.
2. Baking oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with my hunny.
3. The sound of a very energetic two-year-old saying "uh-oh" over and over.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

There is a series of classic childrens' books by Laura Numeroff that all start with "If you Give..." with our favorite being, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."

Well, I'm glad to know that something we have been reading to Gavin has been sinking in. Today he decided it was Mr. Priscilla Mouse's (don't ask) turn to sit at the table for a meal.

And I think he found out if you give a mouse a cookie or a waffle, he/she will want a full meal.

"Hmm.... I wonder what will happen if I give a Mama a waffle....." She will take my picture!

It's also nice to know that Gavin is teaching Priscilla mouse how to use his/her manners.

There's another book by Ms. Numeroff called, "If You Give a Pig a Pancake...." Gavin tried that one too the other day when he fed his grandparents' dog half of his breakfast waffle. I won't ruin the ending of what happens in Ms. Numeroff's book, but in the Gavin version, if you give a dog a waffle, she will smile and beg for more.