G'Nosh'ing with Mom

One of my Christmas presents to my Mom was a painting class at G'Nosh. It was the first time I had been but have heard a lot of good things about it. We had so much fun!!! It didn't start off that great but ended good. We had reservations on Friday night but when we showed up at the Frisco store, the store had closed. I was a little upset. So, Mom and I drove over to the Richardson store and rescheduled for the next night's class.

First attempt on Friday night:

Our set-up (minus my Starbucks):

Mom getting her paint-on:

Me getting my paint-on:

Our finished masterpieces:

I am looking forward to my next class!!!

Visiting the Flight Museum @ Love Field

We went to the Flight Museum today (this post has been back-dated) with Bryan and Grandma and met some friends there. This is the same place Bryan had his company Christmas party. We had a great time checking things out.

Grandma and Parker climbing into a Southwest Airlines jet:

Bryan sitting in first class:

The play-area where Parker would climb into the jet and slide down the back:

And Grandma came to the rescue with some quarters so the boy could ride the plane:

Maybe he'll be a pilot:

This was such a fun event and perfect for kids and adults of all ages. There are a lot of planes and aircraft to look at and explore. I hope to go back again soon since Parker has started liking airplanes or anything that flies in the sky. He has started saying airplane but I can't figure out how to spell it out to explain how he says it.

Christmas, PJs & Friends

Cheryl and Luke invited us over for breakfast this morning. Michelle and Austin were there too. Cheryl had her house decorated perfectly for Christmas. Her tree was full of special ornaments from special trips, some that her husband had given her and even some handmade beauties. I also love that she has stockings for her dogs, Scout and Murphy:

After breakfast, Parker wanted to be among the toys:

And then Luke and Austin:

This time of year is extra special with such great friends, for me and my family! I have been blessed this year by several very important ladies....I am thankful for each one of them and what they "bring to the table".

We ♥ Dinosaurs

Parker with Santa, Part 2

A couple weeks ago, Bryan and Parker joined Luke and his family at the Methodist Church across the street and had breakfast with Santa. (And yes, Parker LOVES pancakes....) Bryan said Parker didn't want to sit on Santa's lap so this is what got. We will try again next week!

LNO: Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Last Friday night us girls dressed up in our ugliest Christmas sweater and met at Brio for dinner. The dinner and chatting was wonderful but we all looked very tacky! Beading, shoulder pads, pom-poms and buttons....things that should not be on sweaters worn by cool Mommies!!!

Tacos Anyone?

First time eating tacos unassisted....I think he did well and enjoyed himself!

Christmas Tree Head

Someone is so over this shopping thing.....

Holy Guacamole, Ian is ONE!

Our youngest friend, Ian, turned one today (or at least his party was today). The Pfenning family invited us over for a Skippyjon Jones party. Yummy food, yummy cake and some playtime was just what we needed after a cold-rainy Sunday indoors. Here are a few pictures from the party:

Paula, Deon and Ian have become such great friends with our family and I am so thankful for them!

We're Flying Solo

Less than 2 weeks before Christmas and Bryan is away on business. Blah! So please pray for safe travels in snow and single digit temperatures for him and a fun yet productive week for Parker and me!

15 Month Check-Up

On Friday afternoon (have I mentioned that we had a super busy week?), we went in for Parker's 15 month check-up. Here are his stats:

Weight: 27.0lbs

Height: 32"

Both 75th percentile

Dr. Eastman said Parker seems to be healthy and happy and progressing well. He was happy to know that Parker can say 7 words that you can clearly understand and is correctly identified. Some of the other things he should be (and is) doing: stacking, climbing, running and babbling. Parker did have to have 2 shots but doesn't need anymore until he is 2 years old!

P.S. - the picture below where we are holding him down to get his height....he does NOT like to lay down at the doctors office:

Taking Flight with the Stars

As some of you may know, the company Bryan works for was bought by MedAssets a few weeks ago. Since then not a lot has changed (just yet). Bryan has been working on integrating both systems together and also getting to know a lot of their IT people. It seems as though the MedAssets company knows how to "have a good time" and we got to see this first hand this past Thursday night when we attended THEIR Christmas party. And when I say "their", I simply mean there were mostly MedAssets people in attendance.

The party was at the Frontier Flight Museum at Love Field and the theme was "Take a Flight with the Stars". Since Bryan wasn't into wearing 40s-themed clothes, we (really just me) went fancy-sparkly-dressy (I am sad you can't see all my sparkly in the pictures). This party was very interesting. There was over 1000 people there, fancy foods, "star" appearances, photographers, a cigar station, dance contests and a lot more. I am not sure we've ever been to a party quite this big. And what a beautiful place to have the party!

On a side note, this was the first time Caitlyn gave Parker a bath and put him to bed. He did perfectly. I was so excited to hear that she didn't have any problems. This gives Bryan and me so much confidence in leaving Parker with her. YAY!

I had to include this picture below.....it was taken at the museum right before we left to go home. Note to self: next time get someone who hasn't been drinking ALL night to take the picture! :)

Sneaky Secret Santa

This is what Parker found on our doorstep when we got back from PIUJ the other day. What an awesome SS he has!!!

Say "Cheese"

On this rare occasion the boy said cheese and smiled for the camera. So yes, Parker can smile but most of the time the blank stare is what you get!

Trampolines, Bounce Houses & Foam Pits, Oh My!

There is a gymnastics place in Allen called Metroplex Gymnastics and they have an open gym time for toddlers on Wednesdays. We had to give it a try this morning. SO.MUCH.FUN! It gave Parker and me both a workout and let him burn off some energy. This place was so big and there was so much to do. Parker went from the bounce house, to the bouncing floor, over to the foam pit, then onto the trampoline and finally through the belly of a (inflatable) whale.

Below, Will is enjoying the foam pit.....he was the first one that JUMPED into the pit all by himself. I tell ya, these boys sometimes have no fear....

Parker wasn't into jumping so he just eased into it. I, however, got in it, lost a sock and needed assistance getting out. Blah on core muscles....

Cruz swinging over us that were (stuck) in the foam pit....

I also liked that there were several different "levels". It gave Parker a chance to work on walking on different surfaces as well as stepping up and down. I think this just makes HIS core muscles stronger....

Overall, very good time! I will pay $5 every Wednesday if it allows us time to work-out together.

Love Them!

Parker is talking more and more these days and it is true, we sometimes are the only ones who know what he is saying. But yesterday was the best.....Bryan was getting dressed for work and Parker was eating breakfast. I was getting dinner prepared and as Parker was trying to eat his oatmeal with a spoon, he said "hep me" (help me). So cute!!! It's tough to scoop your oatmeal when Mom makes it extra thick....

Christmas PJs Playdate @ Sam's

This afternoon Parker put on his favorite (ok only) Christmas pjs and we headed over to Sam's house for some play time and crafting. Afternoon playdates are usually hard to attend but today was a two nap day which allowed enough time to go.

Me and my boy with his "look":

The two ornaments Parker and I made....he actually placed the pom-poms on the glue spots I made:

I needed to share this....Will and Caroline both have footed pjs on....we may need to get some of these because as you can see, my boy has one missing sock:

This picture was much easier when they were 4 months old.....there is no getting all of them still and looking at the camera at the same time:

Thanks Amanda and Sam for having us over today!

Let's Bounce (or Slide) OUT Hunger

Yesterday (yes, we had TWO events yesterday) we went to PIUJ for a fundraising event. Everyone brought canned goods for the local food bank and then we let kids burn off some energy. Parker does more and more every time we go to PIUJ. He is now climbing the big slide all by himself and sliding down (on his belly and feet first).

Caroline's turn...

Blackmon and Cruz had a slow start since Cruz really isn't a fan of PIUJ. It just took a little time and a gentle push from Mommy to get him crazy about the slide. By the end of our jump time, he was climbing the slide and going down all by himself...

These are toddlers people and we must have snack time...

It was nice to have fun and also doing something small to give back.