Nate don't like hicks, y'all

Whenever Andrew and Emma go grocery shopping we come home with "new and exciting" things that "mom" doesn't allow (or give in to.) One of their more recent shopping trips led to some interesting conversations during the week.

Nate came home from school on Monday and exclaimed, "MOM. I DO NOT like hicks!" Confused, I gave a "huh?" He repeated, "MOM. I DO NOT like hicks!" We live in the south so my first assumption was that Nate was being rude about the locals, so I was gearing up to give him a lecture about manners. He expounded, "You know, that drink you put in my lunch... I DO NOT LIKE IT!!"

Fast forward.

Later that day I was telling a friend about this conversation and I could tell she was having an "aHA! moment." "So THAT'S what Emma was talking about today!" Again, I gave a "huh?" She went on to explain that during the car ride home from preschool Emma was really excited because she had a "KFC" drink in her snack today.

The culprit: Hi-C.

Our Boring House

Conversation this morning when Emma saw me taking down the heart Valentine garlands around the house:

Emma: Mommy, when are you going to put up the March decorations?
Julie: We don't have any March decorations.
Emma: So, our house will be, like, normal?
Julie: Yep.
Emma: That's sad.

Too bad I threw out that pot of gold last year!

Cookies for breakfast?

This morning Andrew offered to make scrambled eggs for breakfast. As he was cracking the eggs he yelled out to the kids, "Who likes eggs?" Emma responded enthusiastically, "I do...in COOKIES!!!"

(She obviously has helped me make many a cookie and LOVES cracking the eggs!)

That's one way to warm your milk...

Lately, Brandon has been testing the "baby-proof-ness" of our home. With slamming cupboards, clanging pots and pans, emptying drawers, swishing in toilets, emptying cereal containers, and the like, he is also testing my patience. Yes, I know he is a baby, but there's only so much a mother can handle before she takes action. So two days ago while he was napping, I pulled out my trusty drill and got SERIOUS about baby proofing. Now he has limited access and only plays in mom approved areas. My sanity is restored. But this morning I found him like this....

And then I noticed this...

Is there a child lock for that?

Emma the Clown

Today at Emma's preschool it is CLOWN DAY... We quickly threw together various things from the dress up box and came up with this. Not bad, I'd say. Emma thoroughly enjoyed it without any embarrassment! She sure has spunk!

It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

On Monday, Dec. 6th, Brandon turned one. The Sunday night before we had invited a few families over for cupcakes and ice cream to help us celebrate. However, Brandon had been sick for several days prior and I came down with the same illness that day. We were feeling rough. In the end we cancelled on them to save them from the horrible illness and just gathered our little clan together. Because of Brandon's illness, it hurt his throat to swallow anything, so his first few bites of cupcake made him cry. However, like any good kid, he persevered and was able to eat not one, but 2 cupcakes and a bit of ice cream. he he. Here's some video and pics so you can feel like you were there:

A Little Mouse

Today as I came inside from getting the mail I heard a quick scurrying sound.
I followed the sound here:

Upon closer inspection I found this (and couldn't help but laugh out loud):