Our resident singer/songwriter

I don't mean to make all my postings about the kids singing but that's what I tend to take videos of them doing. Charlie loves to sing songs. Especially of his own invention. Here's a little gem from the summer. I'll include a transcript of the lyrics I could comprehend just in case you can't interpret them. Understandable considering Charlie loves to make up new words with the most hilarious definitions. This kid's a hoot! I love being his Mom.

Birdie, birdie

That’s not a lot about birdies

Sometimes they even listen

Sometimes even trains can break one

Sometimes a train can break a glass birdie

Sometimes a fan can break it

And dad knows a lot about that

Because it knows a lot about that

It's Time to Play the Music...

We've been a little bit obsessed with the music from the new Muppet movie around here this past month. How can you resist the musical stylings of Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame? Hence, I've loaded a rocking vid of the kids' own version of a Muppets classic. It takes a bit for it to take off. Just wait for it.




Next I need to capture Charlie singing Man or Muppet. It's extremely moving.

Back from the Dead

An appropriate title for a Halloween post, no? It's daunting to post when it's been such a long time since the last entry. It's tempting to make a slew of excuses and apologize profusely but I'm refraining from all that. Instead, I'm just forging ahead with a cute Halloween pic of the kiddies.


Presenting Charlie Durrett as the one and only Super Grover. Charlie loves to laugh and be silly just like our favorite caped crusader. Not to brag or anything (ok, I'm bragging a bit), I crocheted his hat. Lulu (or as she calls herself, Yuyu) was the most darling little kitty cat. She meowed and purred the whole night!

Brandon's co-worker had a Halloween party so we dressed up for the first time in years. We went for a Hitchcock theme. Feast your eyes on Brandon Durrett as Norman Bates (at the end when he's dressed as his mom, of course) and me as Tippi Hedron from the Birds. Not the best picture but the best we got. I had cuts on my face and more birds later in the night.


Sigh of relief. Return post complete. Now, don't get used to this posting thing. I have no talent for consistency.

Family Photos

We took the plunge and had family photos done this year. I'm not a huge fan of having my picture taken but it's all about the babies. Memories for the babies so they can see our family grow together. Here are a few gems from our shoot.

No words.

Our little Lulu is such a jibber jabber. My favorite thing she says right now is, "Moo." Her favorite thing to say is "No!!!". She says it with her whole body and at the top of her lungs.

He's so big. He goes to preschool twice a week now and loves it. We do a cooperative preschool (like Joyschool) where each of the moms takes a turn teaching. He says all the kids are his best friend.

She looks like an angel (and she is most of the time) but she already loves to torment her brother.

Can't believe how long we've been together. 7 years next month since our first date and I still look forward to going on a date with him each week.

Fall Festivities

Just a question for you - Why is pumpkin carving considered a child-friendly activity? Scary faces, knives, and gooey, stringy pumpkin innards? Charlie was quite interested in using a knife but he didn't want any help from Mom, thank you very much. He had no interest whatsoever in sticking his hand inside the pumpkin because he didn't want to get sticky. He refused to try pumpkin seeds after we baked them. Basically, he acted like a crotchety, 90 year-old man during the whole pumpkin carving experience. I love this kid but he makes me crazy sometimes. We had a fun time participating in some other fall festivities this year though we didn't get very good pictures of anything. Here's what we have to share from the last month.


Enjoying a bit of shade at Fiddlesticks Farms. We went for Lulu's birthday. It was 90 degrees out there on October 30th! Craziness.


Yee-haw! Riding the cow train. Their cow was named "Loo Loo." The cow behind them was filled with bees after a boy spilled his soda in there. Made for an interesting ride.



Laura was a bumblebee. She surprised us all by keeping her headband on for this picture. She abhors hair clips, headbands, shoes, and socks. I'm dying to accessorize my baby but she'll have none of it.



Ooh-de-la-lee! Charlie as Robin Hood. It took a great deal of convincing to get him to wear his costume. He didn't want to be Robin Hood, just Charlie. After he saw all the candy, he changed his tune. How is it that my three-year-old has such a strong sense of self already?



The whole family at the ward trunk-or-treat. Laura may or may not be picking her nose in this picture but it's the best we got. So, we'll take it.

3 and counting

Remember how Charlie had a birthday? Probably not since I forgot to post this a few months ago! I had it all saved a ready to go and forgot to do it. Mommy brain!





Our little Charles turned three at the end of May. We celebrated with his aunt Evelyn who also has a birthday on the same day. Once again, being with family made the day special. We had yummy dinner, a pinata, and cake and ice cream all together. Thanks to Grandma Jamie for putting it all together.

Movin' On

We closed on a house today. Yay! Exciting, scary wonderfulness. We will be busy this next month - ripping out carpet, painting, new carpet installed, wood floors refinished, moving, cleaning and vacationing. Thank heavens for that Clove family vacation in the middle of all this mayhem. I've calculated that this will be my 10th move in 13 years. Before I went to college I had lived in the same house my entire life. Crazy. I'm so done with moving but the idea of settling somewhere indefinitely is a little freaky. It helps that I am in love with this house. Here are a few pictures from the listing.












Now I need to solicit your help. We need your suggestions for a name for our new abode. I've been referring to it as my Barbie Dreamhouse since it's pink stucco on the outside (LOVE!). I feel that this a home worthy of title, like in Austen times, e.g. Longbourn, Pemberly, Mansfield Park, etc. Any ideas? Now on to the packing. One last question:

Goodwill or new house? Oh, we might as well take 'em with us.