Happy "Boo" Day!!

Are these puppies not adorable? My birthday is Sunday, I wish I could have one on my special day. I wonder if Paul will remember... I think I am going to play a dangerous game and NOT remind him... Stay tuned to see if he passes!

It's Boo Time Soon!

Worried Mama

J has been coughing for forever. We took him to the Dr. last week and he has bronchitis. So we did the antibiotics, we are doing the kids mucinex, and at least once a day, we have to do a breathing treatment with his nebulizer. I pray he gets better, I really don't want this to turn into pneumonia. While thinking about the possibilities of a stint at Children's, I found these pictures. He was around 5 months old. So, home from NICU for only 2 months.


J was admitted because he was sitting propped up on the couch, I look over, and a trickle of blood came out of his mouth. So after nearly killing us both to get to Children's, we were admitted.
He had a torn esophagus. Now, I know that he is allergic to grass, so he is sensitive to dairy.

If I had known this little fact, J would have had a much easier babyhood. Why did not one doctor put us on Soy formula? Instead, he had horrible reflux that led to a trip to the hospital.

Very funny, if you have cats.

Thanks to InALittleMinute , I really needed a laugh!

That HAD to hurt!

My husband was outside his office, with camera, and caught this. Notice 1. Stunned bird. 2. flying bird imprint on glass, even a beak!!

VOTE!

I did this today, very easy because there were not any lines! First time I have gone early, and I highly recommend it! If in Dallas, go here to find a location. Dallas County Elections Web site or here http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/pamphlets/earlyvote.shtml

Give away..

I thought this was a wonderful book, and I wanted to share. Please comment, and I will enter your name in a drawing. The twins will pick the winner. Open through October, 31st.

*Note- This is not a new copy, well kinda new, it was new when I bought it!

Recession Hits Home

Paul may have been hit. He has been warned that his guarantee may be cut. For the last two months, his guarantee is what has kept us afloat. In case you were wondering, is is the automotive industry. Specifically, he offers pre-owned on Ebay.

A few weeks ago, when people were getting cut left and right around him, he went to inquire about his position. "Oh NO, Paul, because of you, we are up 1000% from last year."

But things are getting worse, and worse... So here we are. Paul says not to worry. But I am.

Am I too old to move in with Mom and Dad?

Trick or Treat!

I had to borrow this from preppy little dress and Our Journey to Forever .

Bookworm Award

I was sent this by Preppy Southern Princess . How fun!

Here are the rules:Pass it on to five other bloggers, and tell them to open the nearest book to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence on that page, and also the next two to five sentences...The CLOSEST BOOK, NOT YOUR FAVORITE, OR MOST INTELLECTUAL!!

Here goes. Ya'll know this is going to be a kids book, right?
Page 6, from Fancy Nancy, because there are not 56 pages.

"My favorite color is fuchsia.

That's a fancy way of saying purple.

(actual picture from this page in the book)

I like to write my name with a pen that has a plume.

That's a fancy way of saying feather.

And I can't wait to learn French because everything

in French sounds fancy."

-Fancy Nancy

by Jane O'Connor

Illustrated by Robin Price Glasser

Now I invite...

The Beaufort Lookout

FriedOkra

Henley on the Horn

Tickled Pink and Green

The Westie Crew

A Target Find

Look at these cute pajamas at Target! They are called Nick and Nora sleepwear. J picked this pair out for himself. Very cute.

This is the pair that T wants, but our Target was out of her size. If you live in Dallas, and see these in a 3T, hide them, then tell me where they are. LOL

Another give away!

Monogram Chick is hosting a give away, so head on over... but don't forget to tell them Preppy Pettit sent you!

And while you are there, check out their web-site. Really cute stuff, I ordered a quilted tote just yesterday!

Mojito's 100th Post!

Make Mine a Mojito is having a give away! Go check her out. Her 100th post, congratulations!!

Retired!

Yeah! The twins are potty trained through the night. No more diapers. ever.again. Ya know what? That just made me a little sad. No more diapers means no more babies. It also means that my babies are growing up fast! Sniffle...

Block Party

Yesterday, we had a block party. Blocktoberfest, to be exact.

Twins found a golf cart.

Yes, this is me in the dress. (I bet ya'll were wondering, since I have not posted any of myself)

The other gal is Kaushal, we went to school together.


Look! J and his first attempt on a bike!


T, relaxing with a snack.

Why, Thank You Darlin'

Thank you, mrs. forever!

Now I need to list 6 things that make me happy and then pass this along to six other bloggers.

1. My twins! (Shocker, I know).

2. Halloween. It is two days before my birthday, so whats not to love?

3.Paul, for putting up with me.

4. Sunday, the only day that the whole family spends together.

5. The beautiful portrait of the twins by Charis.

6. Christmas, it is even better now with kids!

Now I tag....

1.Ashley's Closet

2.Monograms and Manicures

3.Tickled Pink and Green

4.The Beaufort Lookout

5.Vitafamiliae

6.{Nina's Blog}

*If any of you were already tagged. Sorry.

For Paul

Next time you get mad over the state of our house...
This is EXACTLY what my days are like.

What Did I Do Today?
Today I left some dishes dirty;
The bed got made around 3:30.
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before,
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall,
Will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those windowpanes
Will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I held a baby till she slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek;
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that' s true.
Unless you think that what I've done,
Might be important to someone,
With deep green eyes and soft brown hair,
If that is true...I've done my share.

I got this from...
http://www.dennydavis.net/poemfiles/mthrpoem.htm

Funny again

No matter who your voting for, this is refreshing.

Roast

Give away!

preppy little dress is having a giveaway! Go check it out, and make sure you tell her I sent you.

Pumpkins and JLD!

Yeah for tomorrow! The Arboretum has family day, and I get a meeting credit for Junior League. How fun is that! And James French Photography will be on hand taking pictures!

http://jamesfrenchphotography.com/

Kyle

I was researching booster seats for the twins when I came across this video. I had seen this before, but had not remembered. Thank goodness. I could have put their lives in danger.

Boogie down

Did I tell you that the kids danced all night? They really needed to blow off some energy! You see, they had on those outfits since 4 o'clock for pictures. The wedding ceremony was at six thirty. Very hard to keep them clean! But they were so cute....

Much better

T and J with some of our friends.

J and T with future God Aunt.

After Wedding Pictures

This is one of the only pictures with J. He was too busy socializing.

T with her future God Aunt

T with her God Uncle C. She adores him!

So Happy

C is Maui 'd! Yep, she is hitched and in Maui! This is a pic from her bachlorette weekend.

This is a pic of the back leading to the river.

I spent all weekend trying to master the blob. And the more we drank, the funner "hick up" it was!

I will post about the wedding once I get pictures. I must say, it was the best weekend wedding ever!

Dear Santa

Look at what Preppy Sue had on her blog! Santa is bringing the twins their first bikes, and I think he needs to bring Mama one too!
Available at Target.

Home again

C's wedding was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. So happy we were a part of this special day. But I am exhausted from keeping the twins clean for 4 hours until after the wedding. They did great, by the way... I will post more later, but right now I just need to veg., and read what everyone has been up to over the weekend.

Great find!

Thank you Preppy Sue , who I found via Tickled Pink and Green . I got this skirt for under $10!! And free shipping..Yeah for me! Or rather, Yeah for T!

Go to Preppy Sue 's Blog, and she has the coupon code.

Costumes

I found these costumes at Tuesday morning. T is going to be a princess. Who happens to ride a unicorn.

J is going to dress up as prince charming on his horse.

Are these not soooo funny?

Scary...

So, last night I went to the grocery store. It was around 8,and the twins were in their jammie's. As I am getting them out, a car pulls up, and a man is asking some stupid question about my car. J, runs up to the car! WHAT!! After all of my stranger danger, tricky people talk? So a kidnapper doesn't have to even make an effort. J will come to you.

I am going to go and buy a harness and a leash. We are going to the fair next week, and I can't take any chances.

J's shoes

Look at the cute shoes I got for the wedding! And for.... drumroll..... one dollar!

Le freak!

I am watching Good Morning Texas, and Le Freak is on! Love this band, so much fun. First discovered them during the Deb. parties I went to waaay back when. Kappa Prep, I hope they are at the Dervish party this weekend! Please, have fun, and think of me! I will be there in spirit.

Thank you, what an honor!

I was awarded this by Monograms and Manicures ! She is so sweet, and she loves my kids even though she has not met them...yet.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude.

(I try, I really do!)

2. Must love one another.

(There is so much meanness in the world, lets be kind to each other)

3. Must make mistakes.

(How can we learn without them?)

4. Must learn from others.

(Blogging has been a great way to d that.)

5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.

(Oh yes!)

.6. Must love life.

(I try to live every day to the fullest)

7. Must love kids .

(T and J, whats not to love?)

These are the rules for The Smile Award:

1. The recipient must link back the the award’s creator

2. You must post these rules if you receive the award

3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself

4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

7. You must thank your giver.
I now award this Smile Award to:

Molly's Mom She has the most adorable baby girl, and I love hearing her stories.

Henley on the Horn She is also is a Mom of multiples, and she has wonderful advice for me.

Make Mine a Mojito She always makes me smile.

Tickled Pink and Green She is so much fun! And love to read her daily.

Monogram Momma She is the reason I even have a blog!

Look what I got!

Thank you again, Mom x 2 ! I am watching it right now!


Also, I got T's flower girl dress today too! It resembles this dress in style, but is raw ivory silk with a blue silk sash.

She is so excited about being a princess this weekend!

Ummm K?

So, I am having one of those mornings. Ya know, the Mondays? Anyway,running late, lost cell phone, twins hissy fit over raincoats, etc. I have a mammogram scheduled at 10. I call to get directions, and they still don't have my orders. I call my dad who is an orthopedic surgeon. (He was supposed to fax in the orders).
ring..."What Paige"
"Dad,what's wrong, you sound irritated"?
"Well, I am in the middle of surgery".

Ummmm. How was I supposed to know that? I can only imagine a nurse holding up the phone to his ear in a plastic bag.

Soup is on...

I am making this for the second time today. Soooo yummy, I had to share...
BTW, I did not bother with garnish.

Savory Squash Soup
Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck
Show: Wolfgang PuckEpisode: Wolfgang Celebrates


Ingredients
3 3/4 pounds pumpkin or butternut squash
1 acorn squash (about 1 3/4 pounds)
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 white onion (about 4 ounces), peeled, trimmed, and finely diced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 cup heavy cream
1 sprig fresh rosemary

Garnish:

1 recipe cranberry relish, recipe follows
1 recipe cardamom cream, recipe follows
1/2 recipe spiced caramelized pecans, recipe follows
4 tablespoons pumpkin seed oil


Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut each squash in half and discard the seeds. Brush cut sides with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Arrange the squash cut side down on a rack placed in a baking tray and bake until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Cool, scoop out the insides of the squash, and puree the flesh in a food processor. Reserve. (You should have about 4 cups of pureed squash).

In a medium stockpot, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Over low heat, sweat the onion. Do not allow it to brown. Add the pureed squash and cook over very low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. Do not allow it to bubble up. Season with the salt, pepper, ginger, and cardamom.

Pour in the stock and bring to a boil, still over low heat, stirring often. Cook about 20 minutes.
In a small saucepan, heat the cream with the rosemary sprig. Remove the rosemary and pour the cream into the soup. Transfer to a blender or food processor and process, in batches, for 2 or 3 minutes. Adjust the seasoning, to taste.

To serve, ladle the soup into heated bowls. Place a tablespoon of cranberry relish in the center, top with a dollop of cardamom cream, then sprinkle with chopped pecans. Drizzle pumpkin seed oil over soup.

Note: If desired, bake small squash until tender, scoop out, and use as individual serving bowls.

Cranberry Relish:
2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup verjus or 3 tablespoons lemon juice
In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Continue to cook until the mixture is thick and the berries are glazed. Allow to cool. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until needed.
Yield: 1 1/3 cups

Spiced Caramelized Pecans:
3 cups peanut oil
2 cups pecan halves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
In a deep-fryer or a deep pot, heat the oil to 350 degrees. (A deep-frying thermometer can be clipped to the side of the pan so that you can tell when the proper temperature has been reached).
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pecans and boil for 2 minutes. Drain in a large strainer, shaking off all excess water. Sprinkle the salt and cayenne pepper over the nuts and then coat with the confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, allowing the sugar to melt into the pecans. Toss the nuts by shaking the strainer, adding a little more sugar each time, until all the sugar is used and all the nuts are coated. Do not use hands or a spoon to toss. The nuts should have a glaze of sugar.
Carefully add the nuts to the heated oil, keeping the oil at 350 degrees. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking tray to cool.
Yield: 2 cups

Cardamom Cream:
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon black cardamom seeds
In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of heavy cream and the cardamom to a boil. Reduce until only 1/4 cup remains. Allow to cool. Reserve.
Whip the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Stir in the reserved mixture. Chill until ready to serve.
Yield: about 1/4 cup

Aaaachoo!

Something must be in the air. I am sneezing like crazy, eyes are itching, etc. Now I know how poor J feels daily.

Help

Please, I read on some one's blog about the flu vaccine. What again, do I need to be careful of? There is a vaccine that is safer for our babies, i.e. pre-schoolers. Please remind me, if you know...

My solution

GO TO BED!

EVERY, and I mean every night is a struggle to get the twins to bed. We have tried every method known to man. I have done it, Paul, and dear friend J. Last night J stood at their bedroom door for 2 hours! The twins would close their eyes, then open them "I dwid go nite nite Jedgi, I dwid. I jest cwosed my eyes, and I dweamed and ewerytwing". J - "yeah, but is not daytime yet, and closing your eyes, and then opening them is not sleeping." Then J with his stutter.." but, but , but,(get it out buddy) I dwid go nite nite, I dwid!" Now crying, so tired he cannot deal anymore. Finally, they go to sleep. Unfortunately, we finally went to sleep too.

We then wake up to things like this...

"See Mama, we made da sun come owt!"

God, please give me the patience I need daily...

Happy Blogging Anniversary!

It is Preppy Mama's one year anniversary for her blog. She is really cute, so you should go check her out! And she is having a giveaway, too! Make sure to tell her Preppy Pettit sent you.