The Wig

Last week I shared with you all Ryder's new love of reading.  Last night while cleaning up his toys, I snapped a picture of our nightly reads.  We read each of these books numerous times each night.  If you don't believe me you are welcome to come babysit for us.

While shopping at the Holiday market a couple weekends ago, I sat Ryder down for a split second so I could get something out of my purse, when I turned around to pick him back up he was standing right next to this dog, just staring at him.  He hasn't been around too many dogs close to his size.  I think he loved him.

Last week, we went to Fondren Unwrapped.  I couldn't find Ryder's toboggan and it was really cold outside, so I decided to try John Michael's (logically thinking it would fit, right).  I'm proud to say -- it didn't!

Once we got there, I spotted Santa.  I really wanted to get Ryder's reaction so I handed him over, assuming he would love him!  He didn't.  There weren't any tears, but there were some angry glares.

This past weekend, we decided not to go to the State/Arkansas game.  It was our last home game, but with the holidays coming up, we knew we needed a nice, relaxing family weekend.  We had lots of fun on Saturday.  We woke up and started the day planting flower beds in our front yard.  The weekend before last you might recall that Ryder and JM tore out the old flowers. 

We had to explain to Ryder that these flowers were not a toy.  His favorite part about planting the flowers was pulling them out once they were already planted. 

I was feeling generous and let Peanut out in the front to play with the whole family

After naptime, we went to Keiffer's for lunch, where Ryder placed his own order of DAAAAAATTTTT.

Next up - Fondren - so I could pick up my consignment check from Orange Peel.  We browsed around the block for a bit and then on our way to the car we and saw an unoccupied fire truck in the grocery store parking lot.  Ryder was in awe, so we let him hop on.

Next stop:  Redneck Central (Bass Pro Shop).  So, this is what he would look like with hair?

He did not like the coon skin wig, it must've been itchy on his head.

But he loved the four wheeler outside

And he was just high as a kite driving that boat

But his favorite part was the tent.

When we got home, it was time to put our pocket change in the jar.  This is a ritual JM has started with Ryder.  He would teach him about saving at such an early age, wouldn't he?

John Michael will say, C'mon Ryder, let's go put our change in the jar.  Ryder will follow him in to our bedroom and wait for JM to get the change out of his pocket.  He'll hand it to Ryder...

Then Ryder walks it over to the jar and puts it right in.  He's proud as punch over this.

After our Sunday afternoon nap, we helped daddy clean out the garage.

 

He loves the tool box now.  And don't dare take away his screwdriver. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Book Worm and Baby Dedication

Never, EVER, take away a utensil.  Especially while watching TV.  Unless you want to get smacked.  Uh huh, Ryder now slaps at us if, God forbid, we take something from him.

Next morning he was a little sweeter.  He lost the shirt to his matching PJ set, but gained the pants nonetheless.  Love a dad's dressing.  While I went to pamper my face and get some new makeup, JM and Ryder did yard work.  When I got home around noon, Ryder's face was beet red.  Lord knows that child could use some sun...

Friday afternoon Ryder and Swayze had some alone time.  He read to her, it was real sweet.

Then he showed her how to push the buttons to his favorite songs.  And they danced the night away.  Swayze had the nice side to side wiggle, while Ryder is more of the up and down bounce.

Sunday, little angel had baby dedication at church.  And an angel he was NOT.  He knows when it's time to be quiet, and it's his favorite time to show.  If we were a tongue speaking church, Ryder could be the next preacher.  That child was VOCAL during the ceremony.  The expression "sweating like a 'bad person' in church" quite nicely described John Michael and I that day... we were stressing!

Maybe he was just getting us back for the outfit... which popped open every time he bent over.  I tell you the truth, that outfit was more roomy than tight, I think the buttons were just a little weak.

But boy was he cute

I can't seem to get over his leg rolls.

Ryder and Sellers playing

As you can see, we gave up on the snapping.

Ryder and Nanni on her birthday!

Our whole group, Ryder is loved!

Presh gift from Lindsey and Todd

Our family.

Us with Sellers, Tripp and Marlee

Ryder's cake, handmade by his mama!

Being vocal as always.

We left the matching bonnet at home for the day, lucky for him.

Okay, so Ryder should probably join a book club.  He loves books and the first thing he says when he walks in our house is BOOOOK and he immediately walks over to said book, pulls us down, spins around, plops in our laps, and politely forces us to read to him for extremely long periods of time.  Don't get me wrong, I love these special moments, but I feel I have become the librarian in the house.  We go from book to book to book to book to book to book to book to book.  It's actually pretty cute and I secretly think it means he is smart that he loves to read.  He has memorized certain books because when I get ready to turn the page, he will make the noise of what is on the following page before I get there.  His new words are the following:  Apple (ap uhhh), Owl, Bird (burhhh), Please (peeees), Thank You (A-ooooo), Eat, Milk (mmmmmmmm - with pointed finger), Duck, Book, HOT (which is his #1 go-to word).

He's the cutest with the book below, and on this specific page.  While in my lap, he puts his hand on top of my hand and moves my hand all over the page a hundred times in a row while I repeat the name of each animal.

Yeah it's upside down, but he loves to feel all the different patterns on this book.

I hope Ryder continues to love to read as he grows.  I really love reading (get it from my daddy), and I have read books for a long time.  I can remember being in first grade and having really advanced books, it's just something I've always enjoyed, and I think it's a great habit.

------------

What I'm obsessed with this week:  SKINCARE

Omg.  Literally looked in the mirror this morning and realized I've got some freaking lines.  Why hasn't anyone told me?  Two permanent lines on my forehead.  You know how you get used to seeing yourself and you don't notice the things you need to change?  Well thank goodness I figured it out for myself this morning.  I immediately called the girl I went to her Mary Kay party and ordered a nice load of products.  I can't be having this.  After sharing my concern with John Michael today during our lunch break, he thought it was cute to "jokingly" continuously call me wrinkle face for the rest of our conversation.  I showed him wrinkle face when I made my skincare purchase this afternoon... BOOM!

Which Christmas Card Shall I Choose?

I can’t tell you how excited I am about Shutterfly’s Holiday Promotion! Up for grabs are 50 free Christmas Cards for bloggers. That’s me! I love cards of all types, and I’ve used Shutterfly several times and have been extremely pleased. The two most recent times I used Shutterfly were September for Ryder’s birthday party and then again in October for Lindsey’s baby shower. So of course I planned to use them for my 2010 Christmas Cards as well and now this just confirms it for me. They’ve got tons of precious cards to choose from, with many different options for the amount of photos you want to use, from one photo to multiple photos. There is your average red/green duo as well as choices with all colors of the rainbow. Click here for the full store of Christmas Cards.  If you’re not in the market for Christmas Cards this year (but why wouldn’t you be???), you can click here for a variety of great gift ideas such as photo desk calendars.  Or, click here for fun personalized photo mugs!  Everybody loves coffee when it's cold outside.
If you’re a blogger and want to take part in this exciting opportunity, learn how HERE!

I can't wait to pick out my 2010 Christmas Cards from Shutterfly!

One Hundred

Last weekend, while Nanni and I shopped at Mistletoe, John Michael took Ryder to Vaughan to help Grandaddy do some work around the farm.  Ryder's not a bit scared of the cows.

When we got home we built a fire and Ryder really wanted to help.  Actually, he would have it no other way.

When he wouldn't quit running up and trying to swat at the fire (fearless child), we had to put an end to it and put it out.  Sorry Ryder.

Oh please, he forgot all about it.

Then, we came inside to warm up and practice guitar.

And play under the coffee table. 

Never fails, Ryder forgets it's glass and tries to stand up under it and bangs his head.  One day he'll learn.

The next morning we snuggled in bed and watched his new show, Super Why.  Sid is soooo last season.  On Super Why they count to ten and Ryder now knows when to say Five, Nine and Ten (Nen).  The look you see below was this for 30 minutes straight.  He did not acknowledge me or anyone else until this show was over.  Mesmerized.

Do you see how he is scratching his toe?  When he watches TV or is sitting still (rare), he scratches his hands and feet the entire time.  It's so sad.  It's either become a habit from when his excema was so bad and he was always itching and scratching, or it still does really itch.  It breaks my heart.

----------------

When trying to get ready for work each morning, we have quite the time trying to keep Ryder occupied.  He wants to be held the entire time, so when we find something that captures his attention, we usually give in.  Except this time, JM wasn't aware of this particular situation.  Later he said, "Did you see what Ryder did in my closet" and I said "No, what?!"

When he sees the evidence below, he'll learn that I knew about it all along, sorry John Michael, I was running late for work!

All the shoes you see on the ground were once stacked nicely on these lovely wire racks.  Not anymore.

As Ryder is saying in this picture, "Uhhhh OHHHHH"

----------------

So John Michael and I are very guilty of saying we don't have ANYTHING to eat for dinner (when in reality we have an entire pantry and refrigerator full of food, just not anything we are in the mood for).  Last night JM came home a little cranky from a bad day at work, and then around 6 he remembered he forgot to turn off everything at work, which they are required to do.  So I said, well that's okay, we'll swing by there on the way to Wing Stop!  He said, no, we're not going to Wing Stop, we need to eat at home.  So I said okay, I'll just work with what we've got.  I found half a box of pasta shells, half a bottle of alfredo sauce, a can of sweet potatoes, half a bag of pecans, half a bag of marshmallows, a can of green beans, half a bag of swiss cheese, two slices of bread and some butter.  And folks, we had ourselves a meal!  These are all half used food items that I would have more than likely just thrown away.  I encourage all of you to make use of what you've got sometimes, even when you are not in the mood for it, at all.  It's horrible how wasteful we are as Americans.

My vegetarian creation

Closeup of the sweet potato casserole.  JM's half with pecans and my half with marshmallows.

------------

I am so excited, Ryder is getting dedicated at our church on Sunday.  We are proud to publicly state that God is the center of our household, and we will raise Ryder according to His standards.  Can't wait to share pictures of his big day.  And it's also his Nanni's birthday, so it will be even more special!

------------

As confirmed in the title, this is my 100th blog post.  I would list 100 things about myself, my family, our interests, etc., - but I think I've shared ALOT already.  Sometimes probably too much...