Tooting my own horn

Most of you know that I have a Pampered Chef business on the side. I got into this because I love to cook and when I went to a show I wanted everything in the catalog. It is a lot of fun for me. It gets me out of the house a few times a month to socialize and eat good food. I also get a little recognition each month for my efforts. I am holding $5 stars. 1 was my Christmas gift from my director, 1 was Jim's gift and 1 was a bonus for going the extra mile in 2008 with my business.

It was asked what I did the money? I took a picture and then unfolded my stars and put in the bank. I had a dinner bill of $55 to put it towards.

Read me a story

I try to read to my boys every day. Yesterday as I was reading to Parker, my voice started to go as I have a cold right now. I said to Parker, "Why don't you read to Mommy". I was expecting him to tell me the general story or tell me about the pictures. My little boy who is 3 1/2 recited most of the story to me. I couldn't believe my ears. I would point to a word and ask him if he knew what word it was and he had no clue. So he has memorized the books. Amazing to me. Even the books from the library that have only been read a handful of times he knew. Wow.

I wonder how much he has picked up from TV or music in the background. I now really believe that their little minds are sponges absorbing everything around them.

This is one of the books he "read" to me.

A Day in the snow

I like to post pictures with my blog articles and you know how you take the pictures and then it takes awhile to get them off your camera and actually do anything with them. It hasn't snowed anytime recently, but a few weeks ago we had some snow.

The night before the big storm I headed into Wal-mart to buy another snow shovel. Parker likes to help. We got another full size so that it actually does something. I also picked up a sled.

Dad took both boys sled riding. This is the way to go sled riding.
Although sometimes you needed to hold on real tight.

They went several times during the day. Parker would get cold and come inside and then ask to go back out. Here are some night pictures. We discovered our back yard has the perfect hill for a 3 year old to go sled riding on.

Tin foil

I am amazed at things my boys chose to play with. This is what I have to use to cover my leftovers with. Nice huh?

Jim salvaged if for me. Nothing is safe anymore.

Our little brushers

My boys love to brush their teeth. This is kind of a new thing and it is a good thing. Tonight they were brushing their teeth and it was time for bed and they wanted to keep brushing and brushing and brushing. It certainly is a good habit to get into at an early age.

Parker went to the Dentist with me a few weeks ago. The boys are my side kicks and go many places with me. Parker has been going to Dentist with me since he was born. I always took him to cleanings and in a pinch he has even accompanied me to a cavity appointment. My Dentist's office is really good about that.

This past trip, the idea was for Parker to sit in the chair and get his teeth looked at by the hygienist. We decided ahead of time that we could go to Wendy's after wards if he sat in the chair and let Brenda (the hygienist) look in his mouth. Brenda let him pick out at least 20 prizes before he got started. She supplied him and Preston with 4 new toothbrushes and Sponge Bob toothpaste. After a little prodding and turning on the TV, he sat in my lap and let Brenda look at his teeth. The Dentist came in and said "looks good." I was very relieved.

The boys have already managed to lose one set of tooth brushes. We broke out the new ones tonight. Dad gave them a little talk about how the tooth brushes need to stay in the bathroom at all times. Hopefully these last longer than 2 weeks. Yep, they got so involved brushing that they walked into another room with tooth brush in hand and now we can't find them any where.