I really don't like William Willett. Why you ask? Click on the link and you might agree with me. All week, I have been saying, "Who is the jerk that decided we should get one less hour of sleep?" I decided I should know who it was so I went to my favorite site and found out. It really just makes me mad. I don't know why it has been so much harder on me this year (probably because the boys have had such a hard time sleeping the past few months). I have blamed everything that has gone wrong this week on Daylight Savings Time. My house is a mess . . . It's DST's fault! My dryer broke . . . It's DST's fault! The weather has been cold and rainy . . . It's DST's fault! LOST wasn't on this week . . . It's DST's fault!
S0, sorry to all my friends that have had to hear me complain this week about it. It isn't my fault though . . . it's William Willett's fault and his stupid idea to have DST! JERK!!!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A great visit!
GiGi and PaPa came to visit over their spring break. They weren't here long enough as always but we had a great time. For the first time in almost 10 years, they were here when the bluebonnets first started to bloom. Here is the best of the pictures we were able to get.
James got bit by some ants last weekend so I think he is afraid he has some on him here. He was consumed by the thought for the rest of the picture taking experience.
James got bit by some ants last weekend so I think he is afraid he has some on him here. He was consumed by the thought for the rest of the picture taking experience.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
This and That
Just a quick potty training update . . . If you remember from my previous post, I resorted to bribing my children to get them to go to the bathroom in the big potty. Jack was all about it and became quite good at storing up his potty so that he could get as many suckers as possible and James couldn't care less about the whole situation. Well, all of a sudden last weekend, James started exclusively going pee-pee in the big potty. I don't think he went once in his pull-up.
So, shortly after it appeared they had mastered the whole pee-pee in the potty thing, I decided to try to tackle "number 2." The sucker situation wasn't working so I decided to move on to reese's peanut butter cups thinking they would be able to eat them much faster. The new deal was if you poo-poo in the potty, you get 2 candy's. At first, this had no effect on either of them. In fact, every time I had to change James' diaper, I reminded him of the deal and every time he responded with, "OOOHHH, Okay!" As though it was the first time I told him.
All of the sudden, this weekend, Jack realized the awesomeness of the deal and started pooping in the potty. My initial reaction was elation! No more changing stinky diapers from Jack and I would only have to give him 2 candies a couple times a day. Off course, Jack being Jack, he had other plans in mind. Just as he was able to force out pee-pee for as many suckers as possible, somehow, Jack was able to poop 8, YES EIGHT! times today. Translate that into minutes I had to sit with him in the bathroom and hopefully you will feel sorry for me. Anyone know if Reese's peanut butter cups make children have to go to the bathroom more frequently?
Now on to one of my most proud moments as a parent . . . So I was sitting in the bathroom with Jack tonight while he was trying to squeeze out even the tiniest amount of poo-poo because he desperately wanted some candy and James comes in screaming at me and shaking his little finger as though I had just done something unimaginable. I can't make out a word he is saying but I clearly had done something wrong. By this point I was exhausted (tired and tired of being in the bathroom) and all I could say way, "James, you're not the boss of me!" Yep! That is parenting at it's finest! All you parents out there . . . feel free to use that one! It doesn't work for anything but . . .
So, shortly after it appeared they had mastered the whole pee-pee in the potty thing, I decided to try to tackle "number 2." The sucker situation wasn't working so I decided to move on to reese's peanut butter cups thinking they would be able to eat them much faster. The new deal was if you poo-poo in the potty, you get 2 candy's. At first, this had no effect on either of them. In fact, every time I had to change James' diaper, I reminded him of the deal and every time he responded with, "OOOHHH, Okay!" As though it was the first time I told him.
All of the sudden, this weekend, Jack realized the awesomeness of the deal and started pooping in the potty. My initial reaction was elation! No more changing stinky diapers from Jack and I would only have to give him 2 candies a couple times a day. Off course, Jack being Jack, he had other plans in mind. Just as he was able to force out pee-pee for as many suckers as possible, somehow, Jack was able to poop 8, YES EIGHT! times today. Translate that into minutes I had to sit with him in the bathroom and hopefully you will feel sorry for me. Anyone know if Reese's peanut butter cups make children have to go to the bathroom more frequently?
Now on to one of my most proud moments as a parent . . . So I was sitting in the bathroom with Jack tonight while he was trying to squeeze out even the tiniest amount of poo-poo because he desperately wanted some candy and James comes in screaming at me and shaking his little finger as though I had just done something unimaginable. I can't make out a word he is saying but I clearly had done something wrong. By this point I was exhausted (tired and tired of being in the bathroom) and all I could say way, "James, you're not the boss of me!" Yep! That is parenting at it's finest! All you parents out there . . . feel free to use that one! It doesn't work for anything but . . .
Just Realized!
So I just realized that I never blogged about our Thanksgiving trip to New Jersey. Normally, I would just move on and blog about my wonderful potty training days but . . . the trip was a lot of fun and the boys had a blast at the beach so . . . here are some pictures of our trip.
Just a little background first. Unlike most families who rotate spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with the different sides of the family, we always spend Thanksgiving with Jesse's family and always spend Christmas with my family. Therefore, it is really important to us to try to see the whole Chupp clan for Thanksgiving. So, Jesse put in a lot of time and effort putting together the trip this year to Seaside Park, NJ. He rented a house big enough for us all to stay in and it was right next to the beach. The temperature was about 40 most of the time we were there so it wasn't too cold to at least spend time looking for shells and throwing them in the ocean.
This is my favorite picture from the trip . . .
Although it took a while to get them to this point. At first, they tried running away as fast as they could.
Grandma Chupp with Jack
Just a little background first. Unlike most families who rotate spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with the different sides of the family, we always spend Thanksgiving with Jesse's family and always spend Christmas with my family. Therefore, it is really important to us to try to see the whole Chupp clan for Thanksgiving. So, Jesse put in a lot of time and effort putting together the trip this year to Seaside Park, NJ. He rented a house big enough for us all to stay in and it was right next to the beach. The temperature was about 40 most of the time we were there so it wasn't too cold to at least spend time looking for shells and throwing them in the ocean.
This is my favorite picture from the trip . . .
Although it took a while to get them to this point. At first, they tried running away as fast as they could.
Mommy with Jack
Mommy with James
Daddy with James
Daddy with Jack
The Family!
Grandma Chupp with Jack
Jack with Aunt Esther, Uncle Ben, and Uncle Luke
The grandsons with Grandpa Chupp . . . attempting to watch a movie!
Cousins . . . the most peaceful they were with each other the entire trip!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jack is working the system, friends!
Caution . . . Lot's of poopoo and peepee talk to follow!
So, my boys are almost three and aren't even close to being potty trained. I am convinced that twin boys don't EVER get potty trained! Unless you have a bathroom with two potties, forget it! I bought the little kid potties and even tried using them in the living room so that they wouldn't think of the BIG potty but it did not work. When we are in the bathroom, they both want to sit on the big potty; at the same time! There's a trick!
So, I had given up on the whole idea and came to an understanding that I would have to continue to change my boys diapers forever!
In one last ditch effort, I thought I would try talking to them about it like big boys. I explained to them that big boys go potty in the potty and that if they need to go potty, they just need to tell me and we will go to the bathroom. Like any good teacher would, I explained it to them, had them repeat it back to me, explained it to them again, had them repeat it back to me again, and on and on. I did a really good job selling it, they repeated everything I said and were so excited about it. Literally five seconds later, Jack poops in his diaper. I think he was probably pooping while we were talking about it.
So, I give up on the "Big Boy" talk and finally say, "Okay listen, if you go peepee in the potty, I'll give you a sucker! Poopoo in the potty gets you TWO suckers!" Well, that's pretty much all Jack needed to hear (all their lives I have been pretty stingy with the candy so I think candy might buy me anything with them). So now, Jack is working the system. Unlike most children who might have an urge to go to the bathroom and then would get a sucker for that, Jack has an urge for a sucker and then decides he can squeeze out some pee. When that sucker is finished, he goes back to the bathroom, peepees a little more and gets another sucker. OH! What is a mother to do?!?!
James on the other hand is in a phase that he thinks he can cry long enough and wear us down. He REALLY wants a sucker and it is really hard on him seeing Jack with twenty suckers hanging out of his mouth but I am trying to stick to my guns. No peepee or poopoo in the potty . . . NO SUCKER!!!!
So, does anyone out there have any great ideas for potty training. Tips on potty training twin boys would be great!
(I'd post some pictures of tonights events but I think they might be inappropriate!)
So, my boys are almost three and aren't even close to being potty trained. I am convinced that twin boys don't EVER get potty trained! Unless you have a bathroom with two potties, forget it! I bought the little kid potties and even tried using them in the living room so that they wouldn't think of the BIG potty but it did not work. When we are in the bathroom, they both want to sit on the big potty; at the same time! There's a trick!
So, I had given up on the whole idea and came to an understanding that I would have to continue to change my boys diapers forever!
In one last ditch effort, I thought I would try talking to them about it like big boys. I explained to them that big boys go potty in the potty and that if they need to go potty, they just need to tell me and we will go to the bathroom. Like any good teacher would, I explained it to them, had them repeat it back to me, explained it to them again, had them repeat it back to me again, and on and on. I did a really good job selling it, they repeated everything I said and were so excited about it. Literally five seconds later, Jack poops in his diaper. I think he was probably pooping while we were talking about it.
So, I give up on the "Big Boy" talk and finally say, "Okay listen, if you go peepee in the potty, I'll give you a sucker! Poopoo in the potty gets you TWO suckers!" Well, that's pretty much all Jack needed to hear (all their lives I have been pretty stingy with the candy so I think candy might buy me anything with them). So now, Jack is working the system. Unlike most children who might have an urge to go to the bathroom and then would get a sucker for that, Jack has an urge for a sucker and then decides he can squeeze out some pee. When that sucker is finished, he goes back to the bathroom, peepees a little more and gets another sucker. OH! What is a mother to do?!?!
James on the other hand is in a phase that he thinks he can cry long enough and wear us down. He REALLY wants a sucker and it is really hard on him seeing Jack with twenty suckers hanging out of his mouth but I am trying to stick to my guns. No peepee or poopoo in the potty . . . NO SUCKER!!!!
So, does anyone out there have any great ideas for potty training. Tips on potty training twin boys would be great!
(I'd post some pictures of tonights events but I think they might be inappropriate!)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
"Tis the Tag Season
There have been a lot of tags this season. Thanks Denise!
'Tis The Tag Season! Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire post and paste into a new post. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. 'Tis the Season to be NICE!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real. I have insisted on a real tree for as long as I can remember. For the past couple years though with the boys and traveling home for Christmas we have done a fake one. Back to real this year though.
3. When do you put up the tree?
I would love to be able to do it the weekend after Thanksgiving but we are usually traveling that weekend so we do it the weekend after Thanksgiving usually.
4. When do you take the tree down?
After the new year
5. Do you like eggnog?
Bluh!!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I found a video once of me opening ALF. I was really excited about that. My brother however gave me a clock radio about 15 years ago that I still use as my main clock radio today. So I guess I would have to say that that one has been the most useful.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Sister
9. Easiest person to buy for? My Brother
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Christmas Cards?
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I would never say . . .
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas and Holiday Inn. Holiday Inn isn't really a Christmas movie but it was the debute of the song White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
As soon as I can get up the strength to go to the mall during all the crazyness. If I was smart, I would start early enough that there wasn't any crazyness. Here's to next year!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not that I remember
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Monkey bread Christmas morning.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? CLEAR
17. Favorite Christmas song? My favorite single performance of a Christmas song is Manheim Steamroller's Silent Night but my favorite Christmas song in general is O Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we are staying home THANK GOODNESS!!!!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolf
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning with the exception of opening the Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? When it is over!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? The Wallace Silver Ball Bells that my mom gets my sister and me every year.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I don't think I have a favorite dinner. I don't even remember what we normally have.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my boys to sleep in their beds at night - ALL night! Can someone put that in a box and wrap it up for me?
26. Who are you going to tag for this Christmas questionnaire?? Rebecca (gotta get that girl out of the fog and force her to blog about something!), Charla, and Amy.
'Tis The Tag Season! Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire post and paste into a new post. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. 'Tis the Season to be NICE!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real. I have insisted on a real tree for as long as I can remember. For the past couple years though with the boys and traveling home for Christmas we have done a fake one. Back to real this year though.
3. When do you put up the tree?
I would love to be able to do it the weekend after Thanksgiving but we are usually traveling that weekend so we do it the weekend after Thanksgiving usually.
4. When do you take the tree down?
After the new year
5. Do you like eggnog?
Bluh!!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I found a video once of me opening ALF. I was really excited about that. My brother however gave me a clock radio about 15 years ago that I still use as my main clock radio today. So I guess I would have to say that that one has been the most useful.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Sister
9. Easiest person to buy for? My Brother
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Christmas Cards?
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I would never say . . .
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas and Holiday Inn. Holiday Inn isn't really a Christmas movie but it was the debute of the song White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
As soon as I can get up the strength to go to the mall during all the crazyness. If I was smart, I would start early enough that there wasn't any crazyness. Here's to next year!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not that I remember
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Monkey bread Christmas morning.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? CLEAR
17. Favorite Christmas song? My favorite single performance of a Christmas song is Manheim Steamroller's Silent Night but my favorite Christmas song in general is O Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we are staying home THANK GOODNESS!!!!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolf
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning with the exception of opening the Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? When it is over!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? The Wallace Silver Ball Bells that my mom gets my sister and me every year.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I don't think I have a favorite dinner. I don't even remember what we normally have.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my boys to sleep in their beds at night - ALL night! Can someone put that in a box and wrap it up for me?
26. Who are you going to tag for this Christmas questionnaire?? Rebecca (gotta get that girl out of the fog and force her to blog about something!), Charla, and Amy.
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Great Day!
It was an all around great day today. I got to meet THE president!
Okay, so I didn't get to meet him but I did get to hear him speak. So I went from never seeing a president ever to seeing two today! What an awesome experience!
I like this picture because it captures him making his most famous face. He was an amazing speaker and it was by far the best commencement speech I have ever heard. Some of my favorite things he said was when he was talking about Robert Gates. He said, "When I asked Bob to be the Secretary of Defense, it was clear how much he loved Texas A&M . . . And I was even more impressed when he insisted on standing during the Cabinet meetings - claiming he was the "12th Man." One day, he explained it all. He said: 'Mr. President, I'm red ass.'"I also thought it was funny when he said, "When you leave this campus, you will be well prepared for any endeavor you choose. To those of you who have jobs lined up, congratulations. To those not exactly sure what comes next -- I know how you feel."
He very poetically said, "There will be times when people tell you a different way is more accepted or popular. Remember that popularity is as fleeting as the Texas wind. Character and conscience are as sturdy as the oaks on this campus."
But the most touching thing he said was, "And finally, be on the lookout for role models -- people whose conduct you admire and whose paths you can follow. With that in mind, I have one last example of courage and service. It's a story of a young man who left comfort behind to answer his nation's call, became the youngest pilot in the Navy, and nearly gave his life in World War II. When he came back home, he devoted his career to public service, and proved that success in politics can be accomplished with decency and grace. He reached the pinnacle in government, but he defines his life by other roles -- a father who gave unconditional love, a grandfather devoted to his grandchildren, and a beloved husband of the sweetheart he married a lifetime ago. Some of you will leave A&M with a degree that carries this good man's name -- George Bush. I have been blessed and honored to have carried it for 62 years."
Seeing our sitting president speak was amazing but the best part of today was getting to watch my brother-in-law graduate with his Doctorate in Entomology.
Getting to live so close to Robert and Jennifer for the last six years has been a blessing. We are so thankful that our children get to grow up with them in our lives. Congratulations Dr. Puckett! We are so grateful that we have been able to be with you throughout this process. We are so proud of you!
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