Thanksgiving in Arkansas

This year Kristoffer and I went to Cotter, Arkansas for Thanksgiving. We left the Sunday before Thanksgiving taking the red eye flight. He had 3 mini meltdowns but it was to be expected for flying at night. But overall he did fantastic. He loved being next to the window. It was nice visiting with Mike's side of the family even though he wasn't there. I got to meet Mike's uncle and 2 cousins. I also got to catch up with his aunt, a cousin and of course his Papa who is 90! We left Saturday after Thanksgiving. Our plane was 45 minutes late taking off from Little Rock. We almost missed our connection in Dallas because they told us the wrong gate on the plane. We made it home.  It was nice Thanksgiving and I had my first deep fried turkey.

 The beautiful view I saw everyday

 Kristoffer and I on Thanksgiving

 Kristoffer and his Great Papa

 Getting ready to take off for home

 Showing me his red tongue

He wanted me to show my green tongue.

Mollie Star

                                                               Mollie Star born 4-27-12

                                        1 of 9 pups (Her and one other pup tied for the runt spot)

                                                                   1 month old

                                                     8 weeks and 2 days (on her way home!)

                                                                   10 weeks old

                                                                    3 months old

                                                                 6 months old


Mollie is our special pup who lives in her own little world and always is so HAPPY. She is a Black Lab/ German Shorthaired Pointer mix. She is our first and last black lab. I didn't really know/understand that the black labs puppy stage last 2-3 YEARS! This pup is a handful! Some days I want to hang her by her paws. But I made a commitment to be her owner and take very good care of her. So with that said I'm in it for the long run. We see the potential for her to be a really good dog.

FOUR

 Well my baby boy is FOUR now. We had his party the day before his birthday. It was Cat in the Hat theme. I love how just a few character items plus the colors of the theme can make it look so great! My mom came over the night before make the cake and cupcakes. We were up til midnight making the cupcakes, wrapping presents and making the favor boxes. The day of the party we cleaned up the house and took the dogs to the groomers so when we got back we could start setting up. Almost 3 hours after we got back we were ready to party! Thank goodness Kristoffer took a nap that day. My mom actually had to go wake him up right before the party started.

  The Friday and Saturday before party day were packed with stuff we had to do. Friday we got the carpets cleaned so I scheduled Kristoffer's pictures that day since we had to be out of the house. He was such a ham during his photo shoot. Then we went to Grandma's house, Mike's work, out to Buffalo Wild Wings, Dollar Tree, Winco and finally back home. When we got home I still had to put the groceries away, put the house back together and give Kristoffer a bath before bed. Saturday we had to deep clean the house and attend 2 birthday parties. One is was for a friends daughter and the other was for my sister.

  So by Monday morning we were all so exhausted. We had planned to take Kristoffer to the Zoo or something on his birthday but none of us wanted to leave the house. Plus Kristoffer had so many new things. So Kristoffer and I went to Dutch Bro's to get him his special birthday chocolate milk and to the post office to send off his pictures. The next night Kristoffer and I went on a movie date. We saw Ice Age Continental Drift. He wanted to leave 20 minutes before it ended. I told him it was almost over and we'd go home and see daddy. Since it was his birthday we let him eat whatever he wanted. He mostly just had milk all day. Even though he didn't eat his dinner he still got a cupcake.

  I'm sad Kristoffer doesn't have an ounce of baby/toddler look to him anymore. Nor does he act like one either. His latest quotes that he's picked up from us are "Just a minute, I'm busy!" "I SAID I don't want it!"
or the latest one is if something about an accident happened Mike will say "Like our marriage" and I'll say "Like your face". Well Mike said the marriage part and Kristoffer pops up with "Like your face!" and started laughing. While I love all the new thing Kristoffer does or can do now I still miss my little baby. 

                                                    He really wanted the star balloon at his party!

 

                              We got the shirt for his party and kept it put up til right before the party.

                                   As you can see he was very EXCITED for his birthday cake!

Not so little anymore....

     In one month from tomorrow Kristoffer will be 4! 4 years ago I was waddling around and now I'm having to make sure my running shoes are tied tightly. He has grown so much in the last couple months. Yesterday we went to Oaks Park for the first time and he went on his first rides! I think he liked the giant slide the best. I was completely shocked on the rides he went on but so proud he's not being so reserved on new things. I think it helped that 3 of his cousins (2 of them his age) were there.

     Next month we are having a Cat in the Hat birthday party for him. Since June he's said he wanted  a Toy Story party, a Angry Birds party and then it changed to Thomas party. Which he is a HUGE Thomas fan. But then about a week ago we were laying in his bed after a bedtime story and he said "Mom I want a Cat in the Hat birthday cake." So now the theme has changed yet again but this time we are sticking with Cat in the Hat. I can't wait to order all the stuff. He's going to love it. Plus my mom is making his cupcakes so I can arrange them into the cats hat. (Kristoffer wants to go to Grandma's house when I'm being "mean". So they will be extra special cupcakes)

           Kristoffer has his first crush!!!!!! Her name is Khloie and she is a cute 5 month old! He didn't care I was holding her which he usually gets VERY jealous when I hold another baby or child. Kristoffer who doesn't like to share his trains gave her is red train he calls James. Then the ONE train he doesn't share at all (his Thomas) he let her play with. He was very sad when she went home. The next morning he comes up to me and says "mom baby Khloie coming in a little bit?!" I told him not today and he seemed very bummed. You can ask him if he has a crush on Khloie and he'll say "Ya" as he blushes. So cute. It's sad I'm not the only girl in his life anymore. I thought I had a couple more years to be the only girl.

     He loves to make mud and finger mud paint the house. We had our first minor leak between the kitchen and bathroom and Kristoffer "helped" his dad fix the wall. Which he was very proud of himself. I wish he wasn't growing up so fast but at the same time I enjoy the adventures he takes us on.

First Movie

Tonight we took Kristoffer to see his first movie. We went and saw The Lorax since it was at the $3 theater. We didn't want to take him to a theater that had regular prices in case he became too restless we had to leave. He loved that he got popcorn even tho he didn't finish his dinner. Oh well we can bend rules every now and then. Kristoffer sat in his seat most of the movie. He would get up and stand to watch it. We only had to remind him a couple times he had to sit. When he wasn't sitting in his seat he was sitting on mine or Mike's lap. On the way home I asked him if he liked the movie and he said  "YA"! Overall I think he did pretty good for his first movie!

Surprise Ashlyn!

      Today we did a surprise party for my niece Ashlyn! Although it was 2 months early we did it today since she will be living with her mom in Idaho then. When she walked in all the kids yelled "SURPRISE". She just looked at them puzzled. They then yelled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". She looked even more puzzled. I finally told her it was her early surprise birthday party since she wouldn't be here on her actual birthday. She got all red and gave a funny look to her dad and step mom. I think she will remember this birthday especially the part where we kinda sang Happy Birthday!!! (lets just say it was a youtube moment) She loved all her presents, her cake and her balloons with all her favorite colors. I'm glad we made this birthday special even if it was ahead of schedule!

Abert the Hamster aka Albee

This afternoon I noticed Kristoffer's hamster was hanging out in the corner of his cage curled up in a ball. Normally he sleeps in his hut but today he didn't. I noticed he was just not moving from that corner at all but was still breathing. When Mike got home we noticed the hamster's breathing was getting bad. Even though he is a small creature we didn't want him to suffer so I called the vet. I went to pick him up and he tried to get away. I noticed his back legs were dragging so he did have a stroke sometime early today. Which is one of the 3 causes for hamsters to die. While Kristoffer was occupied we put Albert in a carrier and Mike took him to the vet. This hamster only bit 3x in the 2 years we had him after finding him abandoned in a vacant apartment malnourished and it was out of fear. (Hamsters are known to bite) Now it's off to explain to Kristoffer why his Albee went away. This sucks since just November 30,2011 I had to explain to him why his 7 month old kitten didn't come home.

Calm Saturday!

     Today Kristoffer and I had a quiet Saturday. After having 2 nieces Monday, one niece Monday -Friday and having another niece and nephew Friday too, we were ready for a quiet day! We slept til 7:30 which I was hoping to sleep later since he didn't go to bed til 10:30 last night. Oh well. We watched Dinosaur Train and Cat in the Hat while eating breakfast. Then we turned off the t.v. and left the radio off. I decided to let Kristoffer decide the mornings activities. Which we played whatever game he made up. After playing some we just laid on the couch, relaxed and talked. Kristoffer and I decided that noon was a good time to get dressed for the day. Kristoffer had  lunch and laid down for quiet/nap time.

     I made myself some lunch and found a movie on Lifetime. Kristoffer got up before it was over so we finished my movie then turned the t.v. off. I decided to turn some music on. We loaded some dishes then took out the garbage and recycling. While listening to music Kristoffer had fun with his finger paints. Mike went over to my parent's new place to help them with a couple things after he got off work.When he got home we had some spaghetti for dinner. I then went to the store so Mike and Kristoffer could have alone time. I just wished it didn't rain off and on all day.

1 year!

        Well it's been 1 year since moving into our home. The place we own, a place that will slowly become what we pictured and a place Kristoffer will grow up in. We've had a lot happen in the last year from happiness to tragedy. Kristoffer has grown so much and just loves all the big backyard. I love the fact Kristoffer can jump all over and not have to worry about the neighbors down stairs.I feel really blessed that at 24 and Mike 28 were able to purchase a great house for a decent price.
        This house has seen tears, a lot of joy and happiness. It's seen a miscarriage,personal growth, getting a new furry creature, Kristoffer turning 3,  losing a pet so young, me turning a quarter century old, to Mike and I celebrating 7 years together, Mike losing his job then lucky enough to find 2 more quickly and to us celebrating 6 years married. I wouldn't trade this past year for anything. Why some of the things that happened I wish didn't I know that they happened for a reason. I know I may not know why some of the bad things happened but I understand I may never know.
         In 29 years we will be free of the bank and won't have to co-own anymore. This house is ours and will see our family change. I can't wait to see what this house will look like 5,10 or even 20 years from now. For now we will enjoy everyday in our wonderful home.

Zucchini Muffins

3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups shredded zucchini (I sometimes add more)
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt (I have never added it)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 eggs

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray muffin  pan with cooking spray or use liners.

2. Mix all ingredients with spoon until well blended. Pour mix into each muffin cup about halfway.

3. Bake 22-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool about 5-10 and remove from pan.


Note: I usually mix the dry ingredients and eggs/oil separate then mix together. I also find once all ingredients are in the same bowl, it's easier to mix with my hands. You can make it in a cake pan it just takes 45-55 minutes. I like the muffin way better for portion control and cooks faster.


Kristoffer LOVES these and can't tell there is a vegetable in them =)

My Son

My Son

As a lad you held my hand

You walked with me

You sat upon my knee

I sang to you

You came to me

I wiped your tears 

You needed me, I needed you.

Then my son, you grew

You dropped my hand

You chose friends to walk beside you

My knee became to small

You had not the time

For a rock or a song

Your tears subsided

You needed them, they needed you.

Then my son, you grew

There were other hands to hold

You took long walks

But not with me

You held others upon your knee

Rocked and sang love songs

You wiped away their tears 

You needed them, they needed you

Then my son, you grew

You took her hand in yours

You walked the aisle with her

Built with your hands

Your own rocking chair

She sang love songs to you 

You wiped each others tears

You pledged your love

You needed her, she needed you.

Then my son, you grew

A little one held your hand

You walked with her

She sat upon your knee

You sang lullabies

You wiped her tears

She called you, "Dad"

She needed you, you needed her.

Then my son, you grew

You became wise

You held my hand

You walked with me

We sat together

We talked of days gone by

You wiped my tears

I needed you, you needed me.

Betty King

(Chicken Soup for the Mother and Son Soul)