29 Jul

Past Pictures

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in You Two. Tagged: , , , , , .

Hey, Hey Little Favorites -

While trying to think of something to write about today, I drew a blank – which led me to look at some past pictures of you two and I decided to post a couple of my favorite pictures from the past.  So – this is the picture that gave me the idea for this post:

I think that this is one of the most hilarious pictures that I have of you two – we were at your aunt’s house and you two caught an eyeful of this fountain and had to play in it – as you can tell, you were both a little excited!  Reese, you are laughing so hard and Xavier’s joy is evident.  All of this over a fountain!  This will probably always be my favorite picture of you two.  :)

Who’s this stud?  Oh…that’s just you, Xavier – showing off your awesomeness…in the Steak N’ Shake parking lot…cause that’s how you roll…

This lovely little photo was taken while we were at the Outerbanks when you were a year and a half, Reese.  You were having so much fun flying your kite – and you looked smashing in your pretty purple swimsuit with a skirt!

Look at that happy face!  Reese, this was you on your second birthday and I think, just maybe, that you were enjoying your cupcake!

You look so handsome here, bubby.  Love that sly little smile and those big eyes!

That’s it for today, little ones.  I have many, many more pictures that I love and will share at a later time.

Love you both,

Mama

28 Jul

Our Royal Wedding

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in Xavier. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Hey, Hey Little Favorites -

As of yesterday, July 27, 2011 – Xavier, you are a married man.  It was quite a ceremony and I must admit, marriage looks good on you, buddy!  You informed both Dad and I that you and Barbie are ‘in love’ and that you were going to marry her.  It was a quick ceremony – definitely not a Catholic wedding.  You then proceeded to kiss the bride and promptly played the ABC song that your Leap Frog Fridge Phonics toy plays so that you could have your wedding dance.  You were dashing in your mesh Adidas shorts and Clifford T-shirt and Barbie was quite the vision in her jean capri’s, halter top and hair in an upsweep topped with one of Reese’s hair clips.  Sadly, I don’t have any wedding pictures (no flash camera’s were allowed at the ceremony) - although I do have a picture of the happy couple from this morning.

Love you both,

Mama

20 Jul

We Left Our Heart(s) in Ohio

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in You Two.

Hey, Hey Little Favorites -

Welp, Mom and Dad ran away for a few days – though I am not sure that you have even noticed yet.  Neither of us had been to Milwaukee before so we decided to make the trek to the city of beer (dad) and cheese (mom) for a mini-vacation.  The first two days were pretty difficult for me – I missed you both so much!  We would call you every chance that we got and most times, you both were too busy with fun Nana and Pop-pop things – like swimming, Vacation Bible School and taking walks down to Marge’s house.  Mom sent the following picture of the two of you after getting ready for Vacation Bible School (this picture makes me miss you so much)!

Cheese!

Wisconsin was pretty cool – we both agreed that it would be a fun place to take you both.  Maybe with a side trip to the Wisconsin Dells.  :)   Milwaukee has such a rich history of beer – it is amazing to drive/walk around and see all of the old buildings and breweries.

Pabst Brewery

We took a tour of the Lakefront Brewery which was very entertaining.  Tourists are given beer before, during and after the tour and tour guide, Jim Klisch was a very funny fella.

 

Milwaukee has good food.  I like good food.  We really didn’t have a bad meal the entire time that we were there.  You guys would have liked the tortilla chips and peanut/pumpkin salsa that we had at Cempazuchi - and the most amazing guacamole EVER!  They also make a very, very good margarita (something that you may learn about later in life).  We had a decent meal at Milwaukee Sail Loft but the view from harbour front deck/patio could make any meal delightful.  You two would have loved to have seen the boats come to and from the dock!  Now…this might not make you happy – please don’t be upset – I had lobster without you guys.  I’m not gonna lie, it was amazing.  The St. Paul Fish Company at the Public Market  offers it every day for only $12.95…you heard me right – $12.95 for a lobster dinner!  Dad had fish tacos which were the best that either of us had tasted (best for me because it was the first fish taco I had ever tasted).  Finally, we went to Swig.  Yummers.  I think that the atmosphere here was a little too ‘adult’ for you two – very trendy and romantic with fabulous food.  They even infused their own vodkas (again, later in life for you guys) – out of this world.

 

We drove around a bit and landed in Whitefish Bay – on the way there we saw the most amazing old houses – you guys might not have been impressed with driving around that we did to gawk at the houses…and the long walk that we took in a neighborhood of huge old houses on the way to Whitefish Bay.  BUT – you would have loved the park/beach that we went to.  It was a cozy little piece of Lake Michigan.  So pretty.  You two would have loved playing in the lake and playing on the big hill that leads you there.

Us & Lake Michigan

 

You two love, love, love hotels – so we tried to get a good picture of the one that we stayed in to show you – the following picture was the best that we could get of it.  Shortly after that picture was taken, we decided that we would go to the top of a nearby parking deck to get a better picture.  We opened the door to the parking garage and were greeted by the most fowl smelling down comforter ever (I knew that it was down by the feathers flying out of the holes that covered the comforter) – Dad then opened the door to the stairs and quickly closed them, saying that we should just leave.  Turns out, the parking garage was closed.  Who knew?  Although, that foul odor is still haunting me…

Milwaukee Hilton

 

We can’t wait to take you there sometime soon – there is lots for you to see and the city is really vibrant – I can’t imagine how great it will be in 5 years.  We will have to see.  :)   We love you little boogers and missed you dearly.  We just drove out of Dayton and will hopefully get to see you before Bible School starts….

Love you both,

Mama

14 Jul

Driving Miss Reesie

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in You Two.

Hey, Hey Little Favorites -

Last night we took you to the Madison County Fair – selfishly, so that we could eat fair food and people watch (Walmart shoppers don’t have anything on fair-folk!) and unselfishly, so that you two could ride rides and play games.  The key to a successful fair trip is that you have lots of people join you so that you can try as much fair food as possible – that being said, Aunt Ellen, Aunt Marcy and Theres joined us.  The two of you were not so interested in the food but couldn’t wait to hit up the carousel.  Bubby, you beelined for the giraffe meanwhile Reesie-Roo grabbed the zebra.

Reese and the Rodeo Zebra - along with some girl that we don't know...

After two carousel rides for you both, Dad and I figured that we could talk you guys into a little more food – so a blooming onion and an iced tea later, we started for the rides – only to get side-tracked by skee-ball and water gun races.  Dad won the water gun races and chose a high-quality fair prize stuffed bengal tiger for you two to share (fight over).

 

The big hit of the fair for you guys was the Fun House.  You both ran through twice and wanted more but then spied the Gator Coaster.  Whoooooooooo.  The two of you were having a blast during the first fives laps – then were ready for the ride to be over during the next five laps - and were crying during the final five laps.  That gator jerked you guys around quite a bit!

Reese bookin' it across the Fun House

 

When the ride was still 'fun'

 

The final ride of choice was a slow one – after the Gator Coaster attacked you two – you were up for something a little more tame.  Little Man – you told Reese that she could share a car with you but had to ride in the back – so, you were Driving Miss Reesie.

Driving Miss Reesie

 

All in all – the Fair was a good time – we saw lots of interesting people, ate some bad-for-us food and wore ourselves out.  We successfully warmed ourselves up for the State Fair in August!

All fair'd out...

 

Love you both,

Mama

12 Jul

Our Favorites’ Favorites

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in You Two.

Hey, Hey Little Favorites -

Mondays are your ‘favorites’ days – I’m gonna tell you a little about the things that make your world go round.  I have to admit, I have always been a sucker for new products – whether it be food, something for the house, something for our yard, something to wear, etc…if it catches my attention, I must have it.  Now that we have the two of you, I get to try even more new products…or I guess that you two do…anyhow, I have a lot of fun finding new things that I think you HAVE to have.  This time, Xavier was the one that found something that you HAD to have.  For our first Favorites’ Favorites, we will start with the Gyro Bowl…

One night, the two of you asked if you could have a ‘Movie Night’ in our room.  You both cuddled up on our bed and we turned on a movie for you that we had DVR’d.  Dad and I were in the living room watching our own show and enjoying some wine and a little ‘us’ time.  Xavier, you came running out full of enthusiasm and excitement – “Daddy!  Mommy!  I gotta tell you guys something!  We have to buy Gyro Bowls!  I saw it on a commercial!  You can throw it down the stairs and our cereal won’t fall out!”  You were SO animated – Dad and I could not stop laughing (maybe because of the wine but I don’t think so, you were really amped about these bowls)!  What was so amusing about this is that they are bowls!  I could understand if it was a toy or something but I dunno, call me crazy but dinnerware doesn’t really float my boat!  You continued to tell us all about these bowls and you were so darn cute, you sounded like the announcer for Gyro Bowls, you knew every little detail about them.

 

You then convinced us that we just had to go back to our room because you paused the show and that we needed to ‘backwards’ the show so that we could see the commercial with you.  You were so pumped during the commercial, pointing out how flippin’ sweet these bowls are and how they would be so great because Reese wouldn’t spill her cereal anymore (Love you Reese,  but it never fails – your cereal always seems to find its way to the floor).  As the commercial ended, Xavier turned to Dad and said, “Daddy, I don’t want to be 18 or older to order.”  Again, Dad and I broke into hysterics.

 

I went straight to my laptop and found 2 Gyro Bowls on eBay and purchased them immediately – how could I not after you were so convincing?!

 

Happy Kids

 

The bowls arrived three days later and you couldn’t have been more excited, bubby - I had to wash it right away and put some sort of snack in it.  Reesie, you haven’t had anymore cereal incidents so the Gyro Bowl is a winner in my opinion!  My only beef with these things is washing them, you put it in the dishwasher and the bowl is always faced up – which means you have to somehow rig something else in the dishwasher to keep the bowl face down or hand wash it – yeah, right…

 

Love you both -

Mama

9 Jul

A Porch Swing, a Picnic Table & Us

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in Reese, You Two. Tagged: , , , .

Hey, Hey Little Favorites -

Morning time equals love.  Bubby, you stay inside and eat your breakfast while watching a cartoon of some sort – I know, we probably shouldn’t condone this but I like to watch TV while eating so for breakfast you get to do the same.  Reesie, you head out to the front porch with dad and I - we drink our coffee on the front porch swing that Dad made me for our 6th anniversary (he is SO handy, marry one like him, sweetie – he does everything well, is really smart and is the funniest guy that he knows).

 

Mine, all mine!

 

Baby Girl, you like to dine al fresco – you bring out your juice, cereal and Nutrigrain Bar and sit at your picnic table (a super sweet gift from Nana and Poppop).

 

Dining al fresco for Reese

 

I love this part of the day because it feels like we get to take a small peek into your adorable little imagination.  Your toy of choice is your Little People Noah’s Ark.  Noah is known to us all as G-Pa – they resemble one another minus the beard – and the animals are his family.  We managed to lose Mrs. Noah – that’s how we roll in our household.  You make the animals fight, run, hug, swim, etc. - my favorite is when they jump, you always make them do multiple flips while quietly screaming on the way down.  If one of them makes you really mad – they get thrown off of the porch.  Sometimes Dad joins in on the fun – he usually plays the role of Diego (after all, someone has to take care of all of those animals on the boat) – Diego sounds like he smokes three packs a day and usually protects everyone from the mean rabbit.

 

You tell us the color of every car that passes by, yell your ‘hello’s’ to all of the bicyclers, talk to Jenny (the mail lady), wave to all of the farmer’s driving the big tractors and farm equipment, cuddle up with us on the swing and feed us whatever cereal you are eating.  You are such a funny little girl – always in a pleasant mood (except when you miss your daily nap), always smiling and always ornery.  You love to be outside and especially enjoy helping your Dad do outside chores.

 

Giving Dad a hand

 

I dread when winter comes along and forces us to stay inside in the mornings but I will anxiously wait for spring when we can get back on the porch.

 

Love you both,

Mama

8 Jul

Attention Fashion Police!

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in Xavier, You Two. Tagged: , , , , .

Hey, hey Little Favorites -

 

I first must apologize to you, Reese – I think that dressing little girls is so difficult.  I try to dress you cute although it doesn’t always come naturally to me.  Believe me, I want to put you in adorable little girly dresses with uncomfortable cute shoes but the logical side me of says, “She is going to be playing outside.  She will get it dirty and when the wind blows, her dress will expose her duh-duh-duhs (underwear).”   I’m sorry, Little Girl Favorite.  (Although logic gets thrown out the window on holidays, we put you in adorable dresses and you twirl around happily).

 

I try, Reesie!

 

On the other hand, I can dress a boy with the best of them!  Xavier – you get to wear all of the stuff that your dad doesn’t or won’t wear!  Pink shirts?  Yes sir!  Sweater vests?  You betcha!  Trendy button down shirt and a tie with jeans?  One of your favorites!  I don’t lead you astray though, buddy!  No skinny jeans or sandles with socks for you, Little Man!  Lucky for me – you are a little guy that loves to wear a hat – and you look mighty handsome in one!  Dad thinks that you have too many but honestly, can you really have too many fedora’s, baseball hats and pageboy hats?  I think not!

You wear it so well!

I am pretty sure that you like to be trendy too – you are always ready for a picture when you are dressed your best!  I can’t tell you how amped you get when I go shopping and bring you new clothes, you love to try them on and ask, “Mommy, do I look cool?”  What, what?  Heading to the club (Mickey Mouse Club, that is) in your sport jacket and jeans?

 

Ready to pick up the ladies!

 

You really like when I make your hair fancy too – mohawk, spikey, you name it, you love it.  You make me put ‘stuff’ in it (Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream or Redkin Concrete) and on special occasions you request some hairspray.  Oh – and on special, special occasions, you want to wear some of ‘Daddy’s Spray’ (cologne).

 

NOT an example of having your hair 'did' - more like an example of your bedhead!

You are definitely a fella that likes to look his best – unless you’re at home with nowhere to go, then you typically wear a pair of Adidas soccer shorts and a polo – now that is a fashion statement!  It has been amazing to watch you grow, Little Man – where you were once a chubby little guy, you’ve now become long and lean – I can remember when your short little legs resembled tree trunks and now I can clearly see your calf and your ankle.  You’ve definitely gone from being a toddler to a young boy, makes me a little sad, I want to remember these days forever – even the days when you are shooting your ‘machine gun questions’ at me.  :)

 

Love you both,

Mama

 

7 Jul

Welcome Little Favorites

Posted by heyheylittlefavorites in You Two. Tagged: , , , .

Hey, Hey Little Favorites -

We failed at something when it came to parenting.  We aren’t afraid to admit it.  We failed at completing your baby books.  Big fail.  We purchased one while pregnant with Xavier, lovingly put it on his shelf once his room was completed and then packed it in my hospital bag when induction time came.  While in the hospital we filled out about two sections and that is as far as we ever got with the baby book.  We didn’t even buy Reese a baby book at all (Love you, sweetie)!

So, bring on the blog!  Our alternative to a baby book.  You may not be able to look back at a baby book to tell you when you first sat up or said your first words (you can ask us though, if we don’t know the answer, we will just make something up) but hopefully you both can read this blog someday, filled with more memories than a baby book can ever hold and appreciate our baby book failure.

This brings us to the two of you – Xavier, you are four years old and quite the smarty pants.  You amaze us every day with that amazing brain of yours.  Nothing gets by you and we can tell that you thrive on learning.  You finished up your first year of pre-school and on the last day the teacher told us that, ‘we really have a good kid there.’  Pat on the back, rockstar parents.  Just kidding – it’s all you, buddy.  You are an amazing little guy – and we’re pretty sure that your favorite thing in the world is to ask questions.  ;)

Little Bright Eyes, Himself

Hi Reesie-Roo!  Little lady, you are three years old and you can light up any room in the world with your cute little smile!  You are happy all of the time and have an amazing imagination to boot!  You are a bit of a tomboy at times but won’t turn down a chance to wear your 1920′s Flapper Costume for anything.  Neither of us can help but smile when we look at you.

Adorable

Okay, now we are at the two of you together.  I’ll be honest – you guys are cheesie.  You are always hugging, holding hands and looking out for one another.  It couldn’t make us happier.  You both adore one another.  When Xavier would go to pre-school, we would all go pick him up and as he turned the corner out of his classroom, he would see you, Reesie, and the two of you would sprint to one another, calling out each other’s names with your arms open wide for a big hug.  See what I meant about being cheesie?  You two really are one another’s best friend – don’t get me wrong, you have your fair share of spats but we have to explain to you on a daily basis that you can’t marry your sibling.

Our Little Cheeseballs

Okay – this is it for post number one.  I haven’t told your dad that we are doing this – hopefully he will  be a good sport and play along.  If not, we will just blame the whole baby book thing on him.

Love you both,

Mama

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