The Blame Game

Warning: Sorry, but I have to share this one, even though it's usually considered inappropriate to discuss.

Like clockwork, Riley poops in the evenings between 4 and 6. This week, as he's doing it, he simultaneously tells me that Doak is pooping (our dog). "Mama, Doak poopoo." "No, Riley poopoo," I retort. "No Mama, Doak poopoo." This argument might continue eternally, so I just stop responding with the truth. The first time he did it, he went so far as to RAISE his voice, point his fingers at me, and give a little stomp. (I know, I know--you're wondering where the picture is, right? I don't have one just yet....)

Now, when Riley's telling me that Doak is going potty, I just grab a diaper and some wipes.

Not Chocolate

It's not chocolate, but I thought it was good enough to share. I had this in my stash and I was suprised how much we liked it. Norah and Tina had a taste too, when they were over giving Riley his last "haircup."

Cherry Parfait (from Southern Living)

2T butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1 t. cinnamon
8 oatmeal cookies, crumbled
3 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add almonds and cinnamon. Cook 3 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in crumbled cookies.

Layer ice cream, crumb mixture, and pie filling evenly in serving dish or glass. Serve immediately.

It's worthy, even though it isn't chocolate, I promise.

Ice Cream for Breakfast

We spent the weekend at Aunt Robbye and Uncle Mike's. After dinner Saturday night (and around Riley's bedtime) Robbye started making some homemade ice cream--YUM! Well....it wasn't frozen by the time Riley went to bed and he was brokenhearted about the whole thing. Robbye held him up at the bar and let him dip his finger in while it was spinning several times. He loved it and it was the cutest thing ever! We ate it all of course, except for the little bowl that Dada requested be saved for him.

I'm pretty picky about the way this little guy eats, but as he gets older, I'm letting go.....just a little bit. Anyway...I told myself that if he asked for the ice cream when he woke up, I'd let him have it. Well, 7:30 a.m. rolls around and I walk in to grab him. "Hi Mama! Ice cream?" Without hesitation, I said, "Sure--we'll have it for breakfast!" Before our coffee, in his pajamas, before it reached 40 degrees, he had ice cream--just as I had promised. It was fun to break the rules--maybe we should do it more often!?

Me Myself and I

Okay so I got thinking...what would I write about me since I did "My Boys." Here goes....

*Hates onions
*Collects recipes
*Has 3 baby teeth in her mouth
*Alphabetizes her CD's and spices (prefers canned goods that way, but it doesn't always last)
*Enjoys organizing and re-organizing
*Paid off her credit card last month
*Eats chocolate on a daily basis
*If I wasn't a teacher, I would be a.......d.j.!!!
*Loves the smell of citrus
*Doesn't know how to relax
*Loves the smell of Scotch tape and freshly sharpened pencils

My Boys

Riley:

*Loves milk

*Enjoys sleeping in on weekends

*Loves the outdoors

*Says please and thank you

*Calls Mom and Dad "Babe" sometimes

*Loves his grandparents and great grandparents

*Has a love/hate relationship with deer

*Loves Backyardigans

*Likes to dance

*Enjoys reading and building with blocks

*Has an opinion about which shoes he wears
*Fascinated with school buses, fire trucks, and tractors

*Loves oranges, bananas, and apples (but don't you dare cut it)

*Prefers a routine

*Wears size 4 diapers during the day and sleeps in a size 5
*Sleeps with "Dog" his dog blanket

*Enjoys playing hiding games

*Doesn't want to sit in his high chair anymore

*Loves to help in the kitchen and in the garden

*Likes to take baths

*Makes me a better person

Russ:

*Loves ice cream

*Is very handy around the house

*Is better at picking up after himself than I am

*Loves the Texas Longhorns (has not missed a home football game or the TX-ou game since 1994)

*Is great at historical trivia

*Enjoys crossword puzzles

*Makes me laugh

*Will order lasagna every time we eat Italian food

*His favorite president was Ronald Reagan

*Travels with his Bible in his bag

*Doesn't like to go barefooted

*Loves to sleep

*Enjoys listening to talk radio (usually sports)

*Hates to shave

*Loves cereal--any kind

*Makes me a better person

Ranch Update

This week:

2 disgusting light fixtures removed from living area and replaced with 2 clean, white ceiling fans
1 ugly bathroom fixture replaced with new one
Carpet and padding removed from Bunkhouse and burned. It smells better already!
More junk cleared out of Bunkhouse left by previous owner
2 motion detection lights installed on backporch
Kitchen painted a perfect yellow
Rob and Mike's room has a burnt orange accent wall
Couch, coffee table, chair, and ottoman in living area (loveseat arrives next week). Thanks Ash!
Cows arrived
Coliche on barn floor
Coliche filled potholes on road
Grass mowed

Not too bad, huh? It's moving right along out there.

Why??

Why is it that we get a new phone book....oh, every week it seems? Is it necessary? Do I honestly need a stack of various phone books (different colors, different counties, etc.) in the cabinet above my refrigerator? Who actually uses a phone book? Is it just me?

Belly Laughs

Before the "haircup", Riley and Dada hung out in the backyard. They were blowing bubbles and Dada was cracking Riley up. Russ whistled to get me to come out and watch. This is what I saw and heard:

Thanks for the Haircup

For the 2nd time, Tina and Norah have driven far from home to come to our house so Riley could have his own personal hairstylist in the comfort of his own home. Maybe one day I will tell the story of Riley's "first haircut" (the haircut that didn't happen) when we went to a kid-friendly hair salon. It's much worse than the story of our last trip to the doctor's office.


We'd talked about the haircut so he would be mentally prepared for it. The night before, Dada was leaving Riley's room at bedtime and said, "Are you going to get a haircut?" Riley responded with "Yes......Nonie.....see us." (Yes, I'm getting a haircut when Nonie comes to see us).



Wednesday afternoon I picked Riley up from school and talked it up. He was getting his "haircup." Nonie and Tina arrived, we ate dinner, and moved onto business. Riley was such a big boy! He sat in Dada's lap.....a bit concerned at first, but eventually loosened his grip on Russ's fingers and enjoyed the haircut. This time, with no tears OR lollipops. He looked so handsome and because we'd done it before, I knew those curls were coming back--I was more at ease too!





















Thanks to two of my favorite people who are still taking care of me (and now my family) 20 years later. I love you both.

Easter Sunday