Daddy Moment

We had the most amazing trip to see Uncle Craig, Hunter and Madison for Thanksgiving. The moment that I remember the most is stopping in Monroe, LA with the kids. We grabbed dinner and Katie and I got our "secret cake" that we hid from the boys and ate while we snuggled in bed. The best part was Matthew and Jack snuggling in the bed watching the OU/OSU football game. Jack really seemed to watch at 2 1/2! He kept telling Matthew "they fell down" and "nice play". He fell asleep during the game. It was most adorable. We fell asleep too...and unfortunately missed one of the most amazing games this year!!!

Lulu..how I love you!

Lulu is so amazing at 4 and a half years old. She is my little buddy and I am beyond addicted to her. I love just talking with her...she says so many things and I can't remember all of the adorable things she says. She is a flower girl in Bucky's wedding this weekend. When I told her we needed to go practice, she told me she didn't need to practice, that she has been throwing leaves on the ground. Lulu thought that the wedding would be on a boat (Little Mermaid), I told her it was going to be in a church. She asked me why....and I replied so God can celebrate with us. She looked at me and was beyond excited "I get to meet GOD there???"
She takes amazing care of Jack. Tonight I always want to remember her in talking to Jack after he went to bed and then sang him "You are my Sunshine"
She is perfect. Every blond curl on her head is beyond perfection. I love her.

Dear Jack Henry,

Please stop hitting your sister. Oh...and stop biting too. And while you are at it...please stop pushing too.
You are the craziest, cutest twerp I have ever seen! You are rough and tough...and smile when you know you are doing something you shouldn't!!

Posted for our Mamie...

hoping she enjoys what a tough little man I am raising!

Stanton Night at Ranger Stadium

Ranger fever caught up with us and we caught a game last weekend. It was Katie's first baseball game and her first box (ok..bag) of cracker jacks. We had a blast...hard to focus on the game, but the weather was amazing. We left Little Man with Aunt Holly, as we knew he would be in the infield by the first inning. Katie only made it to the 6th inning, but it was worth all the planning!

No lucky pennies........

Chelci got home late and Katie was on the couch....as soon as Chelci walked in, Katie oh so grown up asked her:
"Cici, how was soccer today?

Checli replied "it was good...how was your day?"

Katie- "it was good...but I didn't find any lucky pennies today"

We all had to laugh! Straight out of the blue, all grown up and a little disappointment at no lucky pennies.

No lucky pennies....lol...that is a good day when that is the worst thing that pops into your little head!

Stubborn Crew

Katie=bite of peach that "made her sad" and that she kept in her mouth for 1 hour before I let her spit it out.
Jack=flips out every time he sees his "non" Halloween costume of a fighter pilot. Seriously...just a jumpsuit. And he cries real tears just looking at it!!
Chelci=Dear heavens...the cell phone from hell
Matthew=get the flipping flu shot!! You were bed ridden last year with a pneumonia! I will kill you dead if you get sick this year.

The end. Stubborn genes run in the family. I am grateful I am the only one that is flexible :)

Seems like it is getting better

Each day is a little better. The move as started to take a hold of all of us as we settle the best we an into our beloved routine. Katie still breaks my heart with her memories...and her reminder of why she is so like me. She still asks for Winston daily. She asks about our old house in College Station and our old friends and ever her old school that she had there. However, she loves her new "forever house" and enjoys the pool and living with Chelci everyday.
I am loving being close to Tom and Val. The unplanned visits for dinner or just to hang out makes all the hard work seem worth it. I love seeing the kids reactions when Aunt "Bale" walks in our house. Katie was upset last night that Aunt Val wasn't spending the night.
I find it fun as well to have teenagers in the house. It is like...fun without thought. They laugh, squeal (ok...the squealing is LOUD after the kids go to bed!! :) and sleep forever. It makes my routine life with my list of things to do seem very far away for a little while.
Puppy Chow was the excitement of last night with the girls. Who doesn't love laughing girls making dessert with peanut butter and chocolate???

The Move

We did it, and I think it was the worst move yet the best move yet. I guess we are getting older, but the move from Keller to Plano really took it out of all of us. We are golden now. The house is larger and has a much better feel to it for our family. The kids love the pool and it is so fun to have something to do with them in the summer heat. Katie is really getting much better at swimming. Big Sis taught her how to get out of the pool without the steps, so that helps. Jack...heaven help me. He is a jumping fool. Katie asked when we got our house if it had steps and two holes. After a while, we figured out she wanted the open kitchen that Daddy could chase her through. I love to hear Jack's feet on the wood floors.
Chelci is thankfully with us now and hopefully, we are and will adjust smoothly. Her room is the best looking room of the house. VERY teenager.
New nanny that is about 100 years old...but is keeping us a float. Matthew and I just celebrated our 8th anniversary.
Other than that, the Stanton's are tired, happy and still have a lot of work to do to make home homey!

B's

I am trying to pack in memories over the past few months and plan to post a few as they pop up. The most MEMORABLE at the moment....B's. Yup. B's. Both Katie and Jack are addicted to their blankets and call them B's. Jack is a little more intense about his...he needs all 7 of his at one time and has a meltdown if one goes in the wash. Bedtime? We need all gazillion B's for him to waller in. Katie has had the same three and was attached to all of them at once, however, now it is whichever one is handy.
B's....not clue where they even got that name.

4 years old and a pair of scissors

Lulu...why of why??? During the midst of an insane month of buying a house, commuting hours on end, getting Chelci to come live with us, you cut your hair! I was talking to Daddy with Jack safely here by me on his computer when I walked out and found a chunk of your hair. I went to the bathroom and there was a little pile of it. I scared you with my reaction...you kept saying "are you going to be so so mad at me?" and I changed. I told you how beautiful you were and not to cut your pretty hair any more. Everyone laughs at the story. Even Daddy after his long, stressful day laughed and told me to save your hair and he would take a picture of you.
I love you Lulu. Please don't do that to Momma again!

My best friend...the chicken!

We had a fabulous time at Aunt Jacquie's and Uncle Mike's this Memorial Day weekend. Matthew and the kids (even Winston!) got to go stay with Uncle Mike. We went their community beach and the kids had a blast. Matthew and I? We felt really rich and really thin there! We looked like rock stars! ;)
Someone in Mike's neighborhood had a chicken...perhaps after Easter? Matthew caught it and showed it to Katie. She clearly bonded with the chicken in 30 seconds. Winston came out and chased it away. The whole way home? Katie sobbed..."the chicken was my best friend!" Huge tears...no reasoning...yup, her best friend.

Why do Hummingbirds hum?

Because they forgot the words!

Petting Reindeer

Katie was sitting in her chair and looked very sad. When I asked her what was wrong..."I really want to pet a reindeer Momma..soooo bad". I told her that I didn't know where there was a reindeer to pet and she told me to go get one out of the woods.....
ok, let Momma get right on that!

Nicknames

I have so many nicknames for everyone, Nan is concerned that Katie and Jack won't know their names when they grow up.

Jack has been Bubby or Bubs since birth. I called him Squirt the other day and Katie still groggy from her nap said Momma..his names isn't Squirt...it's Bubs!

Katie..my little Lulu...or Lulie

She used to be my little Tater Tot...Tot Tot, Tater Tot. Lots of variations on that...Matthew and I would call her Tate or Tot....and text back and for on "Got Tot?" "I Got Tate". We have evolved and she will always be out Lulu!

Chelci...not sure why...always been my Ladybug. Seems odd calling her Ladybug at 14...but only for her. She will be my Ladybug forever!

Matthew...forever my Buddy....forever and always.

Breathtakingly Blessed

Dear Katie and Jack,
I have had the most amazing time staying at home and being just Mom for almost 6 months. I feel bad that it took a while to master the art of two kids, Winston, Hippie and a whole lot of housework! I am about ready to accept a new job that will change us all. I know you both need to have friends and have more learning opportunities. I will miss when you wake up moments, after nap moments, and heaven help me.....Jack Henry/Winston Howell/Katie Ann moments! I think of the rumble of chaos and it makes me smile from my heart. Today...Jack you called for Katie for the first time....we all were in my bed getting ready for naps and you looked at her and said your name. She said "hi bubba" and kept watching tv. I took your picture as you both snuggled together.
Dad and I did pretty good.........
Love,
Momma

Holidays 2009

What a wonderful blur of activity this year. By far, my best Christmas to date! Katie really got the idea this year and was magical. We spent Christmas Eve with Aunt Val with a delightful lamb dinner. We tried to keep Jack happy...or his Aunts and cousins did with iced sugar cookies. The result was Jack spewed cookies at the table! Needless to say, we made a quick exit. Snow was the hot topic...but it turned to black ice on our way home from Aunt Val's. Matthew was the hero getting us home safe and sound and able to have Christmas at our own home.
The kids so enjoyed opening presents. Katie was breathless with every one. She woke us up filled with excitement that Santa came. Sadly, Buddy the elf left with Santa. We look forward to seeing him next year!
Christmas day we went to Aunt Val's in our jammies and ate AGAIN! Lobster with seven pounds of butter, mussels and pasta....none of us had any willpower that night. We went to see the Manhiem Steamrollers with Matthew's family and capped off the evening with Tom and Val dressed up in a dive bar. Think that was the most fun! Bucky got ENGAGED on New Year's Eve! Woo Hoo.