Trista washing the dishes

Trista one day said she wanted to wash the dishes. Up until now they really couldn't reach the kitchen faucet but since they are such "big girls" they want to try and wash their own plate. Well, go right ahead, Missy. I'M NOT GOING TO STOP YOU!!
She washed all these dishes herself. I'm so proud of you Trista.
They had their second teeth cleaning and were cavity free. SURPRISE....since they LOVE GUM and candy.
And they had their 4 year check up with Dr. Patterson and they are growing good. Both are in the 75% for their height. Trista you are a whopping 38 lbs and Sadie you are 37 lbs (always been one pound smaller since the day you were born) Trista and Sadie you are both 41 inches tall but I still think Sadie might be a tad shorter.

They didn't have to get any shots but next year they will get THREE. Better plan a big ice cream day for sure for that one.
You both are good eaters. I would like Sadie to eat a little more green items but she is warming up to more things and I'm not going to stress over it. They both love olives, edammame, broccoli and carrots.
Peas are not really your favorite but every now and then you will both want to impress us at dinner and you'll both eat lettuce or a spinach leaf.

You both are growing up so fast. I am noticing less fighting and more sharing.  We love you!!

Pizza! Pizza! And its not Little Ceasars

Better get this out of the way first. No I did not just by pass Christmas pictures and go straight to 2013 happenings. I completely forgot to take the camera to Dyersburg AND SO.....I have no pictures to share from our 2012 Christmas Festivities. I am glad I did take the ones in TX so that will have to do.

Mom, Aunt Faye and Aunt Camille slaved in the kitchen, serving gourmet meals...truly gourmet cause you'd pay a fortune to eat like we do in Dyer Co.... which is home of the Jimmy Dean Sausage plant if I might add:)  What better way to socialize and celebrate than with FOOD! We do eat good when we visit the Dyersburg compound.

Endless fruit salad, biscuits, cashew gravy, - which is SO delicious, striples(striplettes as gdad carlson would call them), gluten free and reg. homemade pancakes made from scratch and SO healthy- that were delicious. Waldorf salad (my favorite--only eat it 2X a year if that), oh and did I mention Tom Kai Soup and stir fry Asian pancit noodles--mom you make the best!!! Thank you for all your hard work, for all the wonderful Christmas gifts- the girls have all 100 pieces spread thru-out the house;) and for our loot and GC for date night which WE LOVE to get.

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So, now on to 2013 happenings!

Looking back not that much as changed in the way of how many meals I cook/prepare and clean up in a day- usually about 3 meals and 3 snacks a day.I am trying to eliminate so much snacking. 1. Its expensive to buy all those little snackies and 2. its more work for me. So far I've managed to cut out the morning snack because usually I am at the gym from about 9-10:30 or 11 and by the time I run errands and get home they are STARVING and they eat a good lunch. If I have to run errands there is the constant begging for Taco Bell or Sonic while we are out. Yes...I'll confess Wacky Pack Wednesday at Sonic does make eating on the go nice but I do consider it a treat because I only do it when I'm desperate-- Like the other day when I had to show houses. Whats does a working mom of 2 do that does not have my kids in MDO? I buy a Wacky Pack meal at Sonic, put on a movie and let them stay in the car while I showed 3 houses last week:) That is getting much better btw, the older they get. I know I am rambling but this is the point I was trying to make. 

Last night Chris had to go across town to help a friend so it was going to be just me and the girls for dinner. I wasn't all that hungry AND the thought of my bazillion calories consumed over the weekend was looming over me I decided I'd eat popcorn later and just do dinner for the girls. I thought it would be fun to have them make their own personalized pizza. They both cut up the olives, ( I told them they had to pick one veggie they wanted on their pizza; so they picked olives. Does that count?) with a knife all by themselves. i thought we were going to be here all night because they took such careful measures making sure each olive was put on one by one its own little individual space and the sauce had to be smeared just right. Finally they were done (with a little help from me getting them in a nice circular shape;) and we baked them. Of course I got to try it! What else does a mother do? We eat the leftovers and scraps.....least I do!!

Off to Texas to see about a little man named Parks

Buhumbug...even Mickey doesnt wanna fly this plane

Parks Tucker

Angela went to the bathtub....and caught a shark!

Their birthday was on Saturday and we left Sunday the next morning at 4am to head to Texas with Mom T.
It was a 12 hour trip in which the girls did great. All four us girls, that is. Sadie and Trista were Ipad entertained and except for an occasional squabble in the back followed by a much needed nap they did great. Chris had to work(thank you hun) so we headed down to see them since we knew they would not be able to make the trip to TN as previously planned for Christmas. Parks is in his 3rd round of Chemo. He is doing great. Mom and dad are holding up well. I cant  even imagine the stress they have to deal with. Lara and I took Parks to his chemo on Wednesday. We sat and waited for 4 hours and it only took them 5 minutes to give the Chemo. Better that way than the other way around, right!? He is a tough, strong little dude. So proud of him and Jonathan and Angela. Hate that they have to go thru this and wish we were closer to help out.
The girls broke in all of Parks toys while we were there and every now and then I saw them sneak a kiss on his blanket or arm. He was on his 6th day of steroids while we were there so he was a bit of Sponge bob fussy pants but considering all that is he is going thru he was a sweet boy to be around. He LOVES his stroller rides and his back pack excursions.... around the house....on Jonathans back. We loved seeing you guys!! XOXO to all. Miss those neck kisses, Parks!
Sadie asked the other day when we were going to see Parks again AND the other night they took their shoes off outside the front door. :)

Happy Fourth Birthday,girls. Your wish was my command

 It was a small party...as you can see

Tristas Request: Cinderella Cake

Sadies request: Spiderman

 THE BIG 4

I was a little sad this year about not making their bday  cakes myself but I have many more years. This year was a little different as you can see on the next post.
Your day was filled with all kinds of fun. We didnt do a big party this year with lots of kids we just did a family day.We took the girls to breakfast at the Pfunky Griddle where they could choose their pancake topping. Sadie chose banana, sprinkles and choc.chips Trista chose M&Ms, sprinkles and choco chips. The batter was multigrain and it was fabulous. We had scrambled eggs and a bowl of fruit. We then took them to the BIG SCREEN....bigger than our screen to see a Christmas movie and then home to have cake and ice cream with a few favorite people....their friends.
There are definitely advantage and disadvantages to having a birthday  on December 15th.
Advantage: YOU GET A TON OF GIFTS in a short time frame. We don't have to buy you much. Your gifts  can be combined which means they are nicer gifts :)
Disadvantage's: Its a crazy, busy time of year. I put your Bday gifts under the tree and I wrapped them in Xmas paper. Your Bday always has to be inside....for the most part.
What you got.
Warm outfits dolls and a new set of plates and bowls from Titi and Uncle Bill
Warm outfits from Cousins Preston and England
"Glass" slippers and Strawberry shortcake from Mom and Dad
A water slide from Glen
Harley Shirts from Race
A gas GO CART from Mimi, Papa Tom and Juju! Trista has already rode it several times. They have to grow into it a little but i think once they get the hang of it they'll LOVE it.

A Ballarina outfit and Hello kitty house shoes from Aunti Jen and Oni (uncle Steve)
Hello Kitty hoodie, spiderman and Hulk toothbrush, stickers, Cinderella gummie vitamins & bandaids, and headbands from Auntie Ang and Oni Johnny (imcle Jonathan)

All kinds of goodies from Mexico, a egg plant, nail polish, ring, headbands, Diva drawing board, ABC mucial book and CD from Wawa


You loved all your gifts and your ice cream cakes.

Where does time go? The BIG 4 and oh how they've changed

I cannot believe where time has gone. It seems like yesterday this time four years ago I was waddling into the hospital. Girls..you were anxiously awaited, utterly loved from head to toe and you are without a doubt mamas little drama queens.
You are contantly told how tall you are and what long legs you have. In fact....you grew 4...yup FOUR inches from Aug. 8th to December 20th. I think we could call that  a growth spurt. Trista are currently 41 inches tall. You have GORGEOUS strawberry blond, with natural highlighted hair. Both your eyes are blue. Sadie you are just a tad shorter...1 inch...coming in at 40 inches tall. You both wear the same size shoe...a 9 but are both very picky if they dont fit JUST RIGHT! You both love for things to match especially socks.  You are both big helpers. You keep your room clean, you love your chalk board wall I made you for you birthday, you are good about bringing your plates to the sink, you love to do things yourself, you clean up after yourself if you spill, your knew thing is that you love to crack the eggs for breakfast.(I've chomped on quite a few shells:/
You love your baby doll strollers, baby crib and highchair for your dollies that Mimi and Papa Tom got you for your birthday.
These past four years have been so fun, so exhausting, so busy, so challenging at times, so much all about you two.
Here are a few things that have made me chuckle:

Me: You better not eat all that candy or your teeth will fall out
Sadie: "like wawa (lara)"

At breakfast one morning after handing them the cereal box and explaining to them to only take what they will eat and not waste cause little girls just like them are starving somewhere Sadie replied "we are starving"

After making holiday cookies Sadie asked who they were for. I told her they were for some people we knew to which Sadie replied, "we are people."

One evening I was getting ready for a date with Chris and Trista was "putting on makeup"  with  me. She put some eye shadow on and some lipstick. She grabbed the mirror out of my drawer to look at herself and said, "yeah, I'm pretty"

You are my pretty girls. Love you to pieces!
Mom