Happy B-day bro

My own little brother turned 35 this Saturday. How did this happen? And he's expecting their 3rd. My mom sent me a picture of #2 who is a doppleganger of his Daddy. The vintagey 70s feel of the picture only accentuates that.


This is how I think of buckles (we have weird nicknames in our family).

Happy Valentine's Day

These are a pretty good representation of their sisterly love for each other, even though these photos were posed saccharine Valentine's show offy mommy pics.

Sometimes I'm jealous of their sisterfriendship. They get so involved in their games and play with each other so well. They are pretty good at sharing - when they negotiate a favorable trade it warrants a "jump and hug". I know they won't always get along so well, but I hope they are always close. And, yes, they do fight. I'm just trying to enjoy it while I've got it.

Hash browns

Its girl scout cookie time. Which means anytime you want to eat tacos, or grocery shop or get a pap smear, there is a table set up with sad and adorable girls trying to get you to stockpile your cupboard with high fructose corn syrup.

So, naturally we had to explain scouting to the girls, including the intro group to Girl Scouts - the brownies. We go about out day a little and later Harper mentions the "hash browns" takes me a while to figure out she was referring to the brownies.

That girl cracks me up. And now I've taken to calling them my little hashbrowns. They object and insist I call them by their Christian names - Nugget and Lulu.

Game Changer

Hooray. Best Christmas gift ever. Thanks Grandaddy and BB!

Snow Day!

We have snow in Central TX once in a never. So we had to get up at the crack and play outside on our new playscape. Which was installed on the coldest day of the year.

I take your rat hand and raise you...

I came outside during our a.m. playdate and three girls were standing still near the tree where Harper was kneeling. Next to a dead squirrel.

J: AAAHHHH! Back away. Don't touch it. Did you touch it?
H: I think I need to wash my hands

(later)
J: How did the squirrel feel?
H: pausing... soft
H: Some squirrels run fast from the dog. I guess this one wasn't so fast.

Later while shoveling the squirrel into a shoebox (something in now way shape or form I would have done unless I had a houseful of kids coming over on a beautiful warm January day) I screamed like a little girl, thoroughly impressing the mom from preschool.

Conversations...

when talking about who they were going to marry last night
L: Mommy, why did you marry Greg?
H: Is it because he isn't weird?
J: (snickered)
H: Is it because he isnt' a jerk?

this morning upon Daddy's return

H: Daddy I missed you.
G: Thank you. I missed you too, but at least you had Mommy & Lucy. I was alone.
H: When I am alone, I meet somebody new. You could try that next time.


this morning while fixing hair
L: Mommy, you look pretty
J: Thanks. I'm not feeling that pretty this a.m.
L: I think you always look pretty