Let Me Get This Straight..

So what you're saying is:

Texas beat OU in October (45-35).
Texas beat Missouri in October (56-31).
From this information, the BCS deduces that OU and Mizzou should play in the Big 12 Championship.

Hmmmmm....

Colt McCoy isn't afraid to be tackled.
Sam Bradford is. C'mon, you've seen him slide like a ballerina into the invisible first down line on that field.
Mack Brown played his 2nd string quarterback the last quarter of their last game against Texas' most historic rivalry.
Bob Stoops played an injured Sam Bradford every moment of the game with a 13 point lead, to finish with a 20 point lead. To pad their BCS points, I presume.

It worked I guess, but Mack Brown has more style points than a BCS computer could ever give him.

Colt for Heisman! Go Mizzou!
Hook 'em Horns!

Someone's In The Kitchen With Mommy

It's no secret that I like to be in the kitchen--cooking of course, not cleaning. Well, my budding little chef loves it as much as I do. (Once, when we asked him what his name was, he said Riley Cookin'.) He pulls a barstool up to the kitchen counter, washes his hands, and he's ready to go!

A couple of weeks ago I wanted to make some pumpkin bread. Riley particularly enjoys baking when it involves the KitchenAid mixer. He doesn't love that thing when it's on high speed though--"too loud" he says. He prefers fold or stir.


I read him the recipe and he repeats it back to me. He may know more kitchen lingo than my Babe! Riley helped with every step, holding the measuring spoon or cup and dumping it in. "I want to do it myself" or "my turn" he says.


At one point, I turned of the mixer, lifted the whisk attachment up and walked to the pantry to grab something. While in the pantry, I heard a slurping sound. It was my kitchen assistant with his entire fist in his mouth!! He had dipped his entire hand into the pumpkin bread batter and was busy licking it off. (Now, I'm ALL about eating the dough/batter, I think I actually prefer it to the finished product, but c'mon--use a spoon!)

Sunday morning we made some pigs in a blanket. He rolled the weenie up in the dough and everything! He's a better eater when I let him get involved in what I cook.

He wasn't into eating dinner tonight so I told him we could make some cookies if he finished eating. He did...the motivation worked! We made some oatmeal-raisin/chocolate chip cookies and once again, he just couldn't stand not having several pinches of that dough. Another favorite kitchen tool of his is the whisk. he knows it by name and loves tell me how to use it, "mix it easy Mama, like I do."

I'm so glad he loves to be in the kitchen like I do (most of the time). Some days though, I do admit I don't have the patience for a 3 year old kitchen assitant. I'm thankful that Russ can read that about me and entertain him otherwise.

Charmed, I'm Sure

A charm bracelet tells a story and I thought I'd share mine.

The charm bracelet I wear is a gift from a former student (Elyssa) from way back. She gave me this as an end of the year gift with a charm attached--a little girl at a desk. The next year, when Elyssa was a third grader, she brought me another charm--a crayon. Do you have any idea how cool that is when your former students remember you, much less bring you a wonderful gift?

Since Elyssa, I've added many more:

The Kiss--from Russ. I'd never seen this charm when I received it as an anniversary gift. Perfect.

A rocking chair--from Nana. I wanted that charm from her because she always got up from her rocking chair to let me sit in it when I came over. Spoiled rotten.

A camera--from Shelly. She drew my name for our Bunco gift exchange. I didn't specify a charm, but she picked a perfect one.

Elephant--from Russ. This was to represent our trip to the 2004 Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball.

Four Seasons--from Robbye. This was a special gift from Robbye for being a bridesmaid. I'll always remember what she said, "You've been a friend to me through all seasons."

Special Daughter in Law--from Thomas and Karol. It's a wonderful thing when you love your in-laws--and I do!

Monkey--from John, Julie, Jackson, Jordan, P.J., and Joshua Powell. A birthday gift that I'd requested to represent Riley.

Two Peas in a Pod--from Russ. He gave this to me when Riley was a baby and said that we were "two peas in a pod."

Longhorn--from Uncle Roy. I'd been wanting this one for a while and I love that he's the one that got it for me--we always talk Texas Football when he's around. He's a big fan too!

Dog Bone--from Russ, to represent our dog, Doak.

Flip Flop--from Russ. I love them, he hates (wearing)them.

Mother and Child--from Russ. He gave me this one after Riley was born.

Passport--from Russ. This one represents our 2 trips to visit special friends in Gothenburg, Sweden. I'm looking for more stamps on my passport!

Star--from Russ. I've always liked them...and now it's Riley's favorite song to sing!

Cat--from Russ. Represents Corky and Callie.

Little Boy--from Russ. He gave me this and said our baby was turning into a little boy. Ugh.




I love this bracelet and the story it tells. I'm anxious to add more "chapters" as life continues to unfold.

So Fresh and So Clean Clean

Riley loves showers and baths--especially in our bathroom. There's no toys in there either, go figure. This picture was one I just had to share though--he looks like such a grown up.

Happy Veterans Day!!

Thank you for doing what you did.
Thank you for doing what you do.
Thank you for sacrificing your life and your family for mine.
Thank you for being braver than I.
Thank you to your mother and father.
Thank you to your wife and children.
Thank you for not being too afraid.
Thank you for sleeping places I would never.
Thank you for eating meals I would never.
Thank you.

Thank you to my grandfather Bob Harris.
Thank you to my grandfather Bill Powell.
Thank you to my father in law Thomas Cook.
Thank you to my nephew Justin Rokohl.
Thank you to my friend Wayne Turner.

I can't even begin to comprehend the sacrifices you and your family made so that you could protect us.

I taught my first graders about Veterans Day. I helped them understand what a veteran is and who they are. They are living and non-living, they are grandfathers, sisters, nephews, and mothers. They are wounded physically, mentally, and emotionally. They are heroes.

Here is one of mine:

http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/34366749.html

Candy Land

What was I thinking buying Candy Land for Riley a week after Halloween? Just the mention of the word makes him think he needs some.

I've been wanting to get the game so we could try it out with him. Tonight all 3 of us played and Riley beat us both!

He would've won the second game too, but we pushed it. Should've stopped while we were ahead. There would've been no putting his feet on the gameboard, knocking over our pieces, skipping ahead, etc. The first game was much more cooperative. We'll just pretend that second game never happened...it was bedtime--we should've known better.

Best Week Ever

IF you're a Red Raider who voted for Barack Obama. I'm not.

Happy Meals

With a 2.75 year old, meal time hasn't been my favorite time of day for some time now. Mealtime seems to turn into a time to stuff my face while bargaining, manipulating, and bribing--and that is in the comfort of my own home. In public it has often turned into one of us eating while the other is outside walking around with Riley.

Lately though....meals have been pleasant (Shhhh! I don't want to jinx this). Riley has eaten whatever is on his plate, not just the fruit! No crying, no leaving the table, no expectations of sweet things, no nothing.

We've had pleasant meals at our house. We EVEN enjoyed a wonderful brunch at Z Tejas WITH Riley! We went late to celebrate Nana's 87th and my 36th. Each of us was able to stay in our seat and enjoy our meal. Russ and I had to take him to the potty twice, but that was painless.

I hope this isn't just a passing fancy or a growth spurt. I think I'm enjoying eating with my family once again.

Fall Traditions

Our first fall tradition happens during TX-OU weekend in Flower Mound. The day after the game, we head to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch and have some fall fun! Riley loves the hayride, the big slide, and the train.




Then there's the Halloween thing, nothing extraordinary except Riley actually was allowed to have a teeny bit of candy this year. He wants "brown candy." That's my boy--he wants chocolate!!


Finally, there's Dinner in a Pumpkin--our family's after Halloween tradition. I originally wanted it to be ON Halloween but that day is just too hectic. I won't go into the recipe, but it's: ground beef, taco seasoning, a bag of frozen mixed veggies, sliced mushrooms, a can or two of black beans, and a package of Spanish rice cooked together, then put into a hollowed out pumpkin and baked. We love it! Riley really appreciated the novelty of scooping his dinner out of a pumpkin this year--and he ate so well!