In Black & White

Black & White pictures a fun. They also hide stained shirts, crusty face, and the fact that my SON was cruising around our street on his sister's pink tricycle. He thought he was so cool.

Happy Friday! I'm spending 24 hours with some of my favorites in Chicago this weekend. Can't wait!

Friday Flashback

Jack took Josie on a tractor ride when she was about a month and a half old. She probably weighed less than 10 pounds in this picture.

Last weekend he *tried* to take her on a ride - but when you're hauling 24 pounds (and you only weigh 30 pounds) it's not an easy feat. I'm pretty sure, if she could talk - she'd be yelling FASTER, JACK, FASTER! And Jack's expression pretty much sums up what his response would be… "Dang, lady. I'm going as fast as I can…"

9 Months In, 9 Months Out

Sick

Raise your leg if you are running a fever...and your Grandma Shirlee came to take care of you today. Poor Jos. The doctor didn't have many answers for us tonight. It's not an ear infection. I guess it's just "Daycare Disease."

PS: I came home to dinner & a clean house. Ummmm - Shirlee should consider coming out of retirement... we're hiring.

Draft Babies

Another reason for our trip to the lake this past weekend was the Lake George Fantasy Football 2012 Draft Party at the Dixon's. Last year, Kelly, Ashley, and I were all pregnant during our Draft…which meant no beer, but extra brownies. This year, our babies are SO big! Josie cuddled up by Ethan (Ashley's little boy) and poor Maddie (Kelly's little girl) wondered how she became a third wheel.

The Draft Party was a success! The food was amazing (as always!) and it was fun to see everyone! Our Fantasy League keeps us connected during the winter months!

This year - only ONE baby will be joining the crew during the Football Season. Our friends Annie & Rick (and big brother, Tripp) are having a BABY GIRL in December! YAY!

Late August on Lake George

 We headed north to Lake George on Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to get away from FW for a little bit.

Josie was excited to sit outside and look at the lake. See her two bottom teeth? The two top ones popped through last week.

We wear Tucker out by hitting a ball into the lake about 150 times. Jack tried to help, too. It's the toddler way…always "helping."

Tucker lives for the lake. It's his "Happy Place."

QUICK - JOSIE, SHOW US YOUR BEST DANCE MOVE!!!

The sprinkler. Nice!

(Cooper wasn't impressed.)

Draft Night #1 (of 3)

 Last night was Fantasy Football Draft Night in the Clevenger House. Our team names were first on the agenda and that took so long, I wasn't sure we'd ever finish. But - we wrapped up our picks by 8pm (WAY too late for my kiddos) and headed back to FW. Tyson and I have two more drafts this weekend!

 Josie spent some time with her uncles & aunt. She decided she likes Uncle Jon & Grandpa Jerry again (she went through a phase where she cried when they looked at her).

 Cooper said, "Who cares about the NFL - BRING ON THE HOOSIERS!"

And Jack, of course, snuggled with Grandma Shirlee and Grandpa Jerry. He can't wait…in a few more years he'll be in on Draft Night, too!

Finally - if you need a laugh today go to:
www.dog-shaming.com  
HILARIOUS. Don't get me wrong, I love our dogs…and it's obvious the owners of the dogs on the site love theirs, too. But I know that all of the dogs in our "pack" could be on this site… Hank, I'm looking at YOU and the 17 remotes you've eaten in your lifetime.

Have a nice weekend!

Haaaaappppy

Haaaaaaappppy FRIDAY EVE! We celebrate that now, because "Friday Eves" are good days. Oh, and Pay Days are, too. (although I have yet to see a Pay Day…it's on my calendar…marked with a big green dollar sign)

Table Dancing

 (YES!)

Table Dancing and Saturday Morning cartoons. Who said watching TV was a stationary activity?

Turning the Camera on Me

Jack pretended to turn the camera on me as I took his picture. He's got quite the eye for photography.

Miss Josie is so close to crawling! Sunday she even nudged forward one "scoot" before face planting into the carpet and then doing her usual - she rolled around then entire basement.

Is it Friday yet?

Off to Idaho (again)

Nancy, Jack, and Josie jetted off to Idaho the other day. They were going to visit Uncle Devin and Aunt Kristin.

Per usual for our family - Jack was running late and had to RUN to catch his flight!

When he arrived in "Idaho" {aka: our bedroom} - he couldn't find Devin and Kristin anywhere. Nancy told him they must be at the Farmer's Market…and Jack said, "Buying carrots." He knows them too well. :)

Better Together

Wednesday morning - Tyson, Jack, and I sat at our kitchen counter and ate our cereal together before school/work. Jack was so excited to eat his breakfast with Daddy. Poor Jos was still snoozing…and missed breakfast.

We wake up EARLY in the Becker house these days. "Sleeping in" until 7:45 this morning was REALLY nice! (if you are laughing - you either A: do not have young children or B: forget what life was like with young children….if you fall under Option A - your "sleeping in until 7:45" is coming, just wait)

Blue Solo Cup

Why buy toys? She is happy with the Blue Solo Cup.

Wee Bear Champ

Last night was our last Wee Bear Soccer practice. And I'll admit - I wanted to skip it…but I was supposed to bring the snacks. So I sucked it up and took Jack. I'm glad I did. He had fun and I got to spend some fun one-on-one time with him (which I needed).

It was Awards Night. I told Jack he had to go up and get his "gold medal."

He was pretty proud of himself!

"Hey - wait a minute. This isn't a GOLD medal!!"

Posing with Coach Mitch - who reminded the parents to sign our little ones up for the fall session because "you never know who will turn into a gold medalist in soccer." I liked his enthusiasm…and his positive outlook.

First Day in Kindergarten

For those inquiring minds…wondering how my first day of Kindergarten went…I survived. But wow.

Here is the Math equation to sum it up:
Take Jack's energy x 20 = Kindergarten

I love my kiddos. They are so cute and so sweet. But here is an example of life in Kindergarten:

Mrs. Becker: Okay, friends, when we line up we look straight in front of us, with…Bobby get in line please…we look straight ahead with our hands by our sides…SuzyQ, hunny, are you listening? Thank you. Friends, we never talk in the hallway…(stop because a child is shaking her arm in the air uncontrollably) Yes, Billy Sue?

Billy Sue: I have a cat.

Mrs. Becker: That is great.

(PS: I changed the names, but this conversation really happened)

Lazy Weekend {for most}

It was a lazy weekend around the Becker House - except for the crazy Kindergarten Teacher. She was a mad woman. 

Jack spent most of the weekend building "a house." He is starting to show his imagination and it cracks us up.

Josie was just happy sitting & playing most of the weekend.  As you can see, getting dressed was of little importance. 

Happy Monday. If I make it to Friday it will be a minor miracle & a BIG celebration.

A real bind

The lottery is up to $305M for Wednesday's drawing...if I win I'll be in a real bind, as it's also the first day of school. Can't you see kids showing up on Thursday to a sub?!? "Where's Mrs. Becker?" She's on the beach. Forever.

Pictures coming...(get off my back, Shirlee). :)

Friday Flashback

Flashing back to 2006. This is my buddy, Hogan, and me. Hogan is my mom & dad's dog - that I rescued from the shelter when I lived at home with my parents after college. I wish I would have taken a picture of my dad's face when mom and I pulled up to the house and Hogan jumped out. Dad wanted to be mad. He wanted to tell me to put the dog back in my car and take him back to the pound… But - he just couldn't. Instead, Dad put a leash on him and took him for a walk around the block. And now, they're best buddies.

Hogan is still thankful for his rescue! He has a big house, huge yard, plenty of treats, doggie daycare, and he's the "leader of the Clevenger Pack." What a good dog!

Thursday {Before the Storm}

The Storm {aka: the Beginning of School} is about to begin. Tomorrow is my first day of meetings and then madness will break out and on Wednesday I will meet 21 {right now} little learners! I'm excited, nervous, and a bit overwhelmed.

 My kids are adjusting to "school." Although when we pull into the parking lot Jack starts saying, "NOOO. Don't want it. No school." And then he cries when I leave him. {Thanks for that, buddy.} I know he stays busy during the day and is learning SO much…but it still pulls at my heart. Josie is always a happy girl when I drop her off. She's always good for a big smile when I pick her up, too! Jack cries when I pick him up. {tears of elation}

Here they are yesterday after a full day at "school." This happiness/playfulness is only good until about 7:30 - when they are both too tired to stay awake. Once we all get in a nice routine, I think things will be MUCH better.

Adios Play Set

Last Thursday Tyson told me that he was going to fix the play set. On Saturday morning, he woke up early with his friend, Matt…and they made a nice attempt at fixing it. Two hours later - it was listed on Craigslist. Two hours after that - it was sold for $100 and removed from our backyard. Poor Jack & Josie will have to wait until next Spring to get a new one.

That's okay, though. With both of them in daycare everyday - we wouldn't be able to use a new one very much right now anyway. AND - we still have a pit of sand {not a "sandbox" because there is no longer a box}. Jack is happy playing in whatever dirt he can find.

Brother, Sister Bath Time

 Another added bonus of Josie being able to sit up on her own these days…is the brother/sister bath times we share each night! Josie finds one toy to play with the entire time and as long as Jack doesn't try to steal it from her - she's happy.

Jack likes playing with all of the toys - sometimes at the same time JUST so his sister can't have them. We're working on that "sharing" thing...

Hello, rolls!

I have been spending LOTS of time in my classroom {shout out to my Momma for her help!}! Once it's all cute & presentable - I'll post some pictures. It looks very nice in my head. :)