What do you think?

Keep them? Ditch them? Interesting enough? Do you like them?

ETA: See? It worked. I got 2 comments already! Actually, it has to do with all the facebooking I do, and I love that little "Like" button, when I am not ready to do a full comment. I don't know. We'll see. :)

Who needs a mask?

Not me. Halloween can't come soon enough for me. The skin on my face has had a reaction of some kind recently, and I have had to go without make up for quite a few days. It is driving me crazy! My skin is peeling in some areas, raised, red, itchy and burning. the areas that are the most noticeable are the forehead and the eyes. It makes me think I look like this guy, minus the facial hair. Everyone is so kind about it, but I know it's pretty noticeable. I finally have some cream from the doctor, and I am crossing my fingers that my face is back to normal.

Otherwise, I know a TV show that I can try out for.

Soccer Mom DON'Ts

• Don't forget to bring a snack for the children who are on the sidelines watching the game.
• Don't forget to bring a drink for the other members of the family.
• Don't forget to have plenty of things to occupy the baby and sister while the game is going on.
• Don't bring anything that you don't want covered in grass, dirt, goose/dog poop, or get wet.
• Don't forget to dress warmly.

Most importantly:

• DON'T bring bubbles to the field. Even if you think the wind will carry them in a different direction and your baby will be distracted, inevitably, the players on the field who are 5 and 6 years old will be distracted as well, and rookie soccer mommy will be fussed at. (Just like the Far Side comic strip: "Oooh! Goldfish!")

Just sayin'.

Autumn Recipe

The weather is getting cooler, and my mind is going to the warmer, more seasonal recipes that I enjoy. Here is a delicious dip from, who else? The Pampered Chef.

Spiced Pumpkin Pie Spread

The Pampered Chef® Season’s Best, Fall/Winter 2004
¼ cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped
4 oz reduced fat cream cheese (Neufchatel)
1 can (15 oz) solid pack pumpkin
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or Cinnamon Plus)
¾ cup miniature marshmallows
2 red or green apples, wedged

1. Preheat oven to 350. Coarsely chop pecans with Food Chopper. In a bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth, add pumpkin, brown sugar, and spice blend. Mix well. Spoon mixture into small oval baker. Top with marshmallows and pecans.
2. Bake 12-15 minutes or until marshmallows are light golden brown. Wedge apples, and use to dip in the spread, or Cinnamon pastry wedges (recipe follows).

Cinnamon Pastry Wedges

The Pampered Chef® Season’s Best, Fall/Winter 2004
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 refrigerated pie crust (from 15 oz package, softened as directed)

1. Preheat oven to 400. In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Unfold crust onto lightly floured Large round stone, using rolling pin to make a 12 inch circle. Sprinkle with mixture. Cut into 16 wedges using pizza cutter. Do not separate. Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven, cool completely. Serve with dip!

Success!

Photo session with all three kids. This lady was AMAZING, and I can't believe how good they were! We had about 21 poses to pick from, and here is a sample.

Patrick requested this background to look like he is up in the sky. I picked a different one for the wall.

This was Emma's favorite pose, and she requested the flowers for her. Boy, these kids are vocal!

William insisted we take a close picture of his teeth, the stinker.

Emma's class

When I got up yesterday morning, I found Emma all ready for her first dance class. The class wasn't until after dinner, and it was 7AM. It took a lot of convincing to take it off to keep it clean, but we managed. The whole family went to the Freedom Center to watch the first class, and while William walked up and down the hall, we watched all these adorable little girls learn first position, skipping, and just overall cuteness. The class was in a Racquet ball room, so we could see but not hear anything. Emma was the tallest in the class, and did AMAZING. She waited patiently for her turn, followed directions really well, and was so cute to watch. I was floored by how good she was, and how quickly she learned the steps. Class was only 45 minutes, but she learned a lot. She came out all excited, and informed us that there were princesses in her class. I said of course everyone is a princess in their tutus, and learning to dance. I asked Emma to tell me some of the girls' names in the class. The two she remembers? MULAN and AURORA. Seriously.

Mumblings

• Week 2 of homeschooling has been finished. I think the kids are really enjoying it, and I am hoping that continues.


• Tommy and I had a wonderful anniversary dinner out, as well as some little black dress shopping. Can I just tell you how much I love my husband? He let me try on clothes, model them, and buy 2! (I was at White House Black Market store. My first time there, and I loved it!)


• In other gift news, my heart is set on a new fridge. REALLY set on a new fridge. Our little fridge was the base model that came with the new home, and it's 18 cubic feet. This thing is only 5" taller than me. I don't have a problem looking inside, but when I see Tommy fold himself in half just to find the cream for his coffee, it makes me wish for a nice, big, freezer on the bottom, water/ice on the door refrigerator. The hardest part? Tommy took me to Lowe's, and we were *this* close to buying a scratch and dent. He let me touch it, dream about it, plan where all the food goes, and........nothing. Silly, I know. But I think it would be a really nice thing to have for our family. Someday.


• Patrick LOVED his first soccer practice. I am so excited for him! We weren't sure of the practice time, so he ended up playing soccer for about 2 hours in the rain, and still was super excited when he got in the car. In his words: "I HAD A GREAT TIME!" First game is Saturday, weather permitting. I told Patrick that there may not be a game if it's raining. He said, "Oh, we play soccer in the rain" as he swatted his hand in the air, as if to swat away my silly idea.


• Emma has begun reading. And reading well! She is actually using the primer that came in Patrick's curriculum, and once she began, it has been hard to have her take a break. My favorite quote this week? Overheard: "Emma, that 'e' is silent. Sound it out." Said by Patrick. He asked her to read to him! So sweet.

7 Years

...and not the least bit itchy! I love you, Tommy!
(Today is the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. I didn't plan on being liturgically correct with the bridesmaids, but I think it looks lovely!)

God Bless Paul and Chip

The Reynolds family has been so blessed! On Saturday, we attended the Consecration Mass for Paul and Chip. This is their first year commitment with the Youth Apostles, and such an amazing group of Catholic men, women and priests they are. We are so proud of Paul!

Paul and Chip.

My family, with Mom and Dad Reynolds, Paul, Jimmy, Mary, and Uncle Paul.

Mary, Jimmy, Mom R. and Chrissy.

My cuties

First day/week of school photo ops. Emma LOVES doing schoolwork, and asks me for "handfuls of books" every day.
Patrick has figured out my lesson plans, and just breezes through his subjects. I am so impressed with how quickly he is learning! I just hope I can keep up with these smart kids.

William hangs out in the sunroom, playing sweetly with his toys. Every now and then he distracts us by walking, or throwing ball at us, but we don't mind.

He accessorized the outfit himself.

Just a little nuts around here

I was so sure that we needed walnuts.....

Walking William!

First day of school came with a first for William.

Reston Zoo

My brother and his family joined us for a visit to the Reston Zoo. I didn't realize it was not only a petting but feeding zoo, and probably should have prepared the kids because they wanted nothing to do with getting near the animals. My nephew Jack was a pro at it!

There is a whole barn where you can feed sheep, goats and pigs, as well as a safari ride where they actually stop and feed the animals. William got a little freaked out when the sheep would get in his face and "baaa" at him. I don't think he was ready for the noise. This was his first zoo trip, and he eventually got used to it.

There was a really neat variety of animals there, real and otherwise.

We are missing Daddy, as he was in Hotlanta watching the Hokies play HAlabama.

Patrick asked for this photo on here. He was disappointed that there were no pandas, but was content with photo in a mask.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mother is the most amazing woman. Not just because she had 7 kids, homeschooled all of us, put us through Catholic school, sings beautifully, married all of us off, has been married 44 years (I think that's the right number), and babysits her (MANY) grandchildren. No, not just for all those reasons.
My mother has set the most amazing example for me to attempt to follow. She is always the first person to change the tone of the conversation when it is getting negative, and always say a kind word about everyone. With every task she performs, she will do it to the best of her ability, and will not be happy unless it's perfect: the parts you can see, and the parts you can't. All the Baptismal gowns were sewn by her, and we knew that each one was filled with love, and would be extra soft and beautiful inside and out. She can give you a look or a smile that says so many more things than a lecture, letter, or even a book can say. Her devotion to her family, her faith and her love of learning has always impressed me. Her laughter is contagious, and I love that she encourages me to laugh at myself and not be so serious.

My children absolutely love her to pieces for her warmth, her patience, and her calmness. I have so many pictures of Mom holding a sleeping baby because they know they are in good hands, and can relax. The kids know that they will get an extra hug, an sweet word or a lovely tune just for them. She is always bringing the children to Jesus, and helping them to love him in such kind and gentle ways as only she can.

My mother never wants us to buy her anything for her birthday, and each year it is harder to give her any kind of material gifts. Her favorites? Prayers. Can I ask you to join me? I would love to be able to tell her that you all said an extra prayer for her on her day.

I love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!

Something NOT learned from Mommy

While driving in the car today we were listening to "That Thing You Do" CD. I glanced in my rear-view mirror and see Patrick slamming his head against the back of his seat, over and over. I started panicing, turned off the music, thinking I had to pull over. When asked if he was all right, his response was:
"I'm rocking out, Mommy."

Little musings

• Dear lady in the grocery store, if you are going to wear white shorts, do you really think bright blue underwear is the best choice when you are getting dressed? My only answer is that it must be laundry day?
• Perler Beads are the greatest invention for a very busy and curious 4 year old. She will sit for HOURS and "do beads" as she says. It can be a HUGE mess if spilled, but so worth it!
• It seems that every grocery store bagger does the same thing. I buy a LOT of baby food for my hungry boy. I mean, like 15 jars and almost as many containers of fruits, etc. I don't think they realize just how to bag them. I will go to unload the cart, and it's the same thing. ALL of the baby food is put into ONE bag. Oh, it's double-bagged, but it's still all together. Seriously? Do you know how that stuff rolls around? You can't spread it out?
• I think I am the computer too much. Well, I know I am on the computer too much. Patrick has told me that he is on Facebook with his Leapster. He has a special cartridge for "Bejeweled Blitz" and he has been telling me all the rules. I actually play that game in my sleep.....what does that tell you??
• You know all those temperments? Choleric, Meloncholic, etc? I knew that I had certain temperments combined, but I am realizing that I have MUCH more of one in me than I used to think I did. I have had a few events this summer which have opened my eyes to it, and it has been humbling. It's hard growing up.

William is so busy

Oh, William. Soo pretty!

He climbs up the chair...

...and then sliiiides down. Well, how do YOU get off a chair?

Just chillin'.

This one reminds of Tommy and his great laugh. What a stinker he is.