Did you know babies like age appropriate toys???

For your amusement, this is Charlie licking the airplane window. She has some obsession with licking things, usually my kitchen appliances, the table and the sliding glass door but on this trip she took it to a whole new level licking the floor of the Hertz Rental Car place at the airport. She's got some unidentified lip fungus.... not yet.... but if she keeps this up she just might!

The Texans introduced Charlie to something she had never seen before... AGE APPROPRIATE BABY TOYS!!! She was in heaven! She stayed self entertained for a while playing with those things. Then Stephen and I had an epiphany! Maybe we should buy our baby some toys of her own!

She has toys people! She has rattles, plastic links, stuffed animals, beaded necklaces... OK, so they aren't exactly age appropriate anymore. They were when we bought them 5-6 months ago! We usually just stick her up in the loft and let her play with whatever toys the boys have out- the marble track (minus the marbles), Kol's train sets and plastic tea set, wooden blocks... you know. The usual. But she doesn't stay entertained for long. Wonder why???

So after we got home from Texas, I went to Toys R Us and picked up a couple more appropriate toys for Charlie. Do you think she likes them??

Today's rant.....with pics

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...not really, but there have definitely been some of those moments this week...Here's what I've been up to...

What the...? This folks was my living room on Sunday night. What did you do for family home evening? We unloaded every cabinet, drawer and shelf in our kitchen and put it in the living room just for fun! Actually, pest control was coming Monday morning so we enlisted everybody's help to unload the kitchen. On MOnday morning when the kids asked how they were supposed to pack their lunches, I told them to go treasure hunting in the living room and see what they could find. They looked at me like I was crazy. I think I am. But, after the pest control guy came, I had to clean everything, top to bottom, and then put everything back. I think it might've taken months, but Elizabeth and Karen came to my rescue and helped me put everything back. My kitchen has never looked better...and no more critters! I hope.


Kindergarden is hard work. I have come downstairs from folding laundry or whatever and found Malia passed out on the couch two days in a row! It is fantastic! She is loving kindergarden. Her teachers have a great sense of humor and are very good to her. Her bus driver said to me the other day, "Your daughter is very social." Yes indeed. She has to wave goodbye and hug all her little friends when she gets off the bus, frequently leaving the bus driver holding in the stop sign in the middle of the street while she says her farewells. Adorable. And yes, she still sucks her thumb...very loudly, I might add. She likes to get in a few good sucks before she goes to school and then hides her blankets so she'll know where to find them when she gets home. I, of course, put her blankets away, every day to try and discourage the thumb sucking, but what can you do?

.
Shameless plug...

Check out these cute blankets. We have so many different ones right now, it's hard to choose. So, plan ahead for the holidays and send all your friends to our blog (www.minkyandmore.blogspot.com) and order away!



And, it is the season of fall sports which, for us, includes cross country (Carter), football (Jake), and soccer (Bella, Carter, and Jake). Which means...practice for an hour after school Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for Jake and Carter, and six soccer practices each week...Monday-Thursday. Friday the boys have cross country meets and football games. Saturdays we have three soccer games...and did I mention Rick is helping coach Jake's team? It is crazy around here...

Last, but not least...



You may have heard...I got into nursing school! But...they decided to go ahead and enroll me in the summer session. Not what I was planning on. And they decided to disallow any postponing...meaning I couldn't just say I'll take the fall semester instead. It's summer or start all over again in the lottery process. I am still waiting to hear from one other college for the January semester and then I will decide what to do...I was so elated to have gotten in...still am. Just not sure what exactly to do about it.

That's all folks. Now you won't wonder why I don't blog very often in all my free time....or lack thereof.

SNAKES AND SNAILS AND PUPPY DOG TAILS

That's what little boys are made of....

That's why I'm glad I'm having another GIRL!!! Stephen was very disturbed at the thought that this baby might be a boy. He did not want another boy. He's pretty smitten with Charlie and I think he realizes that girls really are the way to go : ) Although I wanted a girl for convenience purposes, I can honestly say I wouldn't have cried if this one was a boy. But it's not, so I'll have a happy husband and Charlie will hopefully have the best playmate in the world!

Update

on Natalie. Yep, getting cuter by the minute!





If this didn't give you your fix, there's more on my blog. http://tammy-braun.blogspot.com/ Love you guys!

Advertisment

Know anyone who wants to buy a nice house in Dallas?

Charlie's Long Awaited 6 month Pics are Finally Here!!

So I know she is almost 9 months old, but I didn't get the pictures taken until she was nearly 7 months old, and then the photographer went on vacation for weeks so it took a little longer than I may have wanted to get these back, but I love them and they were well worth the wait. I love the photographer, she has such a great, vintage style. Too bad none of you live out here, because I would totally recommend her. I love you too Judy : )

I ordered some 4x6s for anyone in the family that might want one to post on their fridge or wherever, I don't want to force them on you though. So if you'd like a pic (don't worry sisters and mom, I'm already planning on sending you one regardless) speak up!!

Fishing...

So, how do you think it would feel to have one of these babies stuck in the knuckle of your finger? If you want to know, ask Carter...see that hook with the 3 prongs, yeah, it was in his finger. After I got it out of his pants, I semi-tried to get it out of his finger and realized the barbs on there would not come out without ripping his finger apart...So, off to the e.r. The staff was all very interested in the taking out process which include pushing it all the way through his finger and out the other side. DISGUSTING!!!! I let him take the day off school...thought maybe he could use some chillin'....