Two and Two High-Chairs

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2013-08-17T16:29:00.001-04:00

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Back to School 2013

2013-08-05T11:18:00.001-04:00

Devon's Kindergarten Staggered Entry Day

Cameron's 1st Day of Second Grade

Staggered Entry Day

First Official Day of Kindergarten

We had a bit of a rocky start this year. Both kids got strep throat the first week of school. Devon was cleared to go on his first staggered entry day Tuesday because the initial strep culture was negative and he no longer had fever. However, after I took him to his classroom and got to the car, I got a phone call from the doctor saying that his strep test came back positive and the first was a false negative. So, he got to spend 10 minutes at school on the first day. Fortunately two days later, he was cleared to go back for another staggered entry day. Today was his first official day. Cameron got to go the first two days of school, then she got it and missed the next three days. Happy to say they are both healthy and back to school today!

They are both at the same school now for the next few years and on the same year-round schedule. Yay!

2013-03-27T00:46:00.000-04:00

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Is this thing on...

2012-02-21T14:46:00.004-05:00

Well, It's been four years since I put a decent post in this thingy... is anyone still listening? I don't blame you if you moved on, but Why am I even saying that, you wouldn't read the original (potentially offending) statement.... Let me start over...

Hello, Sorry I've let this go un-updated for so long. Let's get this party started again!

Sunday we went bowling... Devon beat us all! Yeah, he's four. He really embraced that ramp thingy and the bumpers and got a 127 in the third game I got 113. I'd love to give you a list of excuses... so I will:

It was the third game.
My arm was tired.
I had "bowlers" elbow.
That soft-pretzel was a tad greasy, and effected my grip.
I only bowled 5 frames... 113 isn't that bad.
I was trying to keep my golf and bowling averages the same.
I let him win.
I wanted a good story to kick start the blog again.
I was gassy.
I was showing solidarity with the bottom 1%.
My ball was full of bees.
My shoes clashed with my socks, and kept distracting me.
My lane was slanted.
I am not right-handed.

I am simultaneously proud and ashamed... am I doing it right?

Our 2011 Christmas Card

2011-11-30T22:55:00.001-05:00

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Easter 2011

2011-04-24T22:14:00.000-04:00

Our church held 5 identical services this year. Two of which were on Saturday. We opted for the 6:30 service on Saturday evening, so we wouldn't have to go when it would be so crowded. We had already had a fun, busy day with Agnors and Joslins. Both kids fell asleep on the way home from Dave & Karen's house. They were bushed! So we got dressed to go to service. I actually ironed my clothes, (a true rarity), straightened my hair and wore a jeweled hair clip and had on make-up. I came downstairs and Devon looked at me and said "Are you a new mommy?" I took that as a compliment. Then he said "Are you my mommy?" I said "Yes" and he said, "Then, I love you!" I must not dress up enough. Thank you, my sweet boy. Then Cammie told me I smelled pretty. I love my sweet kids! They made me feel good today. Although, when we tried to take pictures in everyone's nice clothes for Easter, everyone turned grumpy. I am starting to think we really never will get a nice family picture. Drama always happens when we dress up and try to take pictures.

Anyway, we enjoyed the Easter service and Cammie told us all about what she had learned (she is a good listener. Love to hear what she is learning!) and the kids happily sang "Hosanna" in the car. We went out for pizza at Georginas and ate outside. Sunday we got to stay home all day. It felt very strange not going to an Easter Sunday service, but we still celebrated at home. I sat down with my Bible and read the account in Matthew of Jesus trial, crucifixion and resurrection. I got to rest in Christ for a few moments. It was a sweet moment, just He and I. We watched some of a claymation movie called "The Miracle Maker" about Jesus' ministry. We had an egg hunt with the neighbors and Nana & Papa came over. Andy made a wonderful roast lamb and later we enjoyed Karen's wonderful rice pudding recipe. I am very thankful that Jesus was willing to go through all the horror that he did for us. I am so very grateful. He could have easily changed his mind, that we weren't worth it. I am so glad He does find us all worth the price he paid. What love!

Kid Stuff

2011-04-06T00:25:00.000-04:00

I'm enjoying blogging on my own new blog, but that blog is becoming more of a personal journal, so I'll update the kiddo stuff here. It seems kinda funny still having the name "Two and Two High-Chairs" when our kids don't use high chairs anymore, but I guess that just goes to show how quickly things change, even when they feel like they'll be that way forever while you're in it.
So, Cammie is 4 years and 9 months old. She'll graduate from preschool next month in May and start kindergarten in July. She had school spring pictures taken. She told me & Andy that they put a funny looking blue square hat on her head with a thing hanging down and she wore a blue dress. When it hit me that she was wearing a graduation cap & gown, tears just started rolling down my face. What happened to that tiny little baby I held not too long ago? She's becoming quite the little lady. Cammie loves to wear a skirt or dress just about every day, lots of hair bows and sparkly shoes. She picks out her own clothes and I can let her because she really does well with coordinating. I've only had to veto a few things, but that is mainly a weather issue or because she wants to wear her fancy Christmas dress to school. (She pulls that one out any chance she gets. She wore it when she was 2! Anytime she moves her arms, the buttons on the back pop open!) I am still always proud when I witness her interactions with her peers. Cammie is confident, thoughtful, and fun. I think she is a good friend to others.
Devon is 3 years and 5 months old. Right now his favorite toy is plastic Easter eggs. (Its 3 weeks before Easter and I had to buy some for church) He has carried them everywhere, taken a bath with them and sleeps with them. He gets hooked on a certain type of toy for a week or more and it is all he wants to do. Some of his choices are pretty amusing. Let's see, there's been Care Bears, Polly Pockets, Squinkies, Princesses, Disney figurines, erasers, plastic beads. He carries so much in his hands, I'm afraid they are going to get stuck in a clenched position! Devon is very musical. He loves singing all the time. Lately its been the songs from Tangled, Veggie Tale tunes or Care Bear tunes or songs from our kids sing along cd. He loves looking at books and lining up whatever his favorite choice of toys is for that season.
Our big issues we're dealing with right now are 1) Devon not listening, 2) Devon still having some potty training dilemmas 3) the kids fighting over toys 4) Cammie getting attitude. As my mom always says, "this too shall pass." Then we'll be on to whatever the next challenge is. So glad the rewards far outweigh the challenges! Sometimes it doesn't feel that way, but when I think of the big picture, they sure do!

Venturing out onto my own blog

2011-03-17T23:54:00.001-04:00

The creative side of me decided I wanted a space of my own. So I have been blogging here: http://beckybethsjournal.blogspot.com/.

Quick Video clip

2010-10-11T17:22:00.001-04:00

Something I found online... nifty little tool. I'm tempted to pay for something like this!!

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A New Season

2010-08-18T15:28:00.002-04:00

Cammie turned 4 on June 21. We are enjoying the last few weeks of summer as we think of the upcoming Fall schedule. On August 21, Cammie starts Pre-Ballet classes on Saturday mornings. She took a trial class and she loved it (and we loved watching!) The teacher was so great with these 4-5 year olds. They will be so fun to watch as they learn their first ballet moves and wear their cute little leotards, tu-tu's and ballet shoes.
On September 7, she will start half day preschool 4 days a week. She went 2 full days a week from March-June at Goddard right at the front of our neighborhood. It was great and convenient, but 2 full days are long! I am looking forward to her just going until lunch time at her new school, Windborne, which is also a Christian preschool and we are excited about her getting a good foundation there. Then on September 23, Cammie will enter her second year as a Cubbie at AWANA. The world of birthday parties seems to have suddenly hit with 3 parties in 4 weeks time! Busy social life for this little girl, who suddenly seems to be growing up so fast!
Devon is 2 years, 9 months old. He is such a talker and singer. He will enter his second year as a Puggle at AWANA, but that is enough for now. When he turns 4, our plan is that he will start playing soccer. Cammie tried it this year and it was hard to keep Devon off the field. He looks like he's got the knack for it, too. Following in his Dad's footsteps. So, today, on our first day home in days, we watched Super Why, the kids played while I did dishes and laundry, then we spent an hour in the front yard, enjoying the kiddie pool. After lunch, both kids took a good nap, which will be over in a few minutes. These days won't last much longer, so I had to document them while I have the chance.

January 2010

2010-01-08T22:36:00.002-05:00

Can anyone else get over the sound of "2010"? So futuristic. Where are our space cars and condos on the moon? Am I sounding old?
Wow, so I noticed my last posting was June!? So, here's a run-down to catch you up...
In July, we enjoyed the 4th at Mom & Dad Oxfords. Cammie got her hair braided and beaded. (Loved that hair-do for the summer, except when she got a bead loose and shoved it up her nose. Then Devon found one and shoved it up his nose. Lovely!) Anyway, Cammie, Grammy & Pap-Pap decorated her tricycle for the 4th, and the neighborhood kids had a big parade. It was fun!
Cammie and her cousin Cassidy went to day camp for a week and loved it. Then Cammie went by herself the next week and really missed her cousin.
Cammie took Kinderdance Classes for a couple of months, too, at the Community Center near our house. Devon wanted to join her but he was still too young. This was a big hit. Have to do it again sometime.
In August we went on the Joslin family vacation to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Both great palces to take little ones. We had so much fun! Got to meet the Sesame Street Characters, too.
In September-October, we enjoyed all the Fall festivities that I look forward to every year---
1) Fall Festival at Lake Park with my mom & dad. Mom rode the tea-cups with the kids cause that makes me & dad dizzy. Thanks, Mom! Devon loved the giant slide and Cammie got on one of those bungie-jumping on a trampoline thingies and loved jumping really high!
2) A trip to Hill Ridge Farm. Nana went with us this year and took lots of pictures for us. It was so fun having her there. Our friends Joy and Grace met us there and we all picked our pumpkins, rode the train, the giant slide, the hayride, feeding the animals, a bounce-house and lots of mazes and jumping in the hay.
We did miss going to the State Fair this year for the first time in about 10 years, but there was lotf of other things to do.
Devon turned 2 on November 7. We had a little party at home with Grammy & Pap-Pap. He loved his new legos. Then he had a combined party at Monkey Joe's with his cousin, Colby. We love that place! Came back to our house for cake & presents.
Thanksgiving was at our house and we had 17 family members here! Andy makes an awesome turkey (which makes it very low stress for me. Thanks, Honey!) We walked to the neighborhood playground after we ate with the kids and that felt good after the big meal.
We did our usual Black Friday shopping and a puzzle over the weekend.
Christmas was great. Enjoyed time with all the family. We celebrated with the Oxford side on the weekend of the 18th and Mom took me & Cammie to the Nutcracker ballet. It was a fun girls day. Andy, Dad & Devon stayed home and watched football and played legos.
We went to the annual Christmas Eve service, then back to Joslins for a fun grab-bag exchange. Had our own family Christmas morning, then celebrated with the Joslin side late morning. It was a fun day. New Years Eve Eve (the 30th) we had a game night with our small group at church and just stayed home on New Years Eve. We did manage to stay up til midnight this year, spending a quiet evening on the couch after the kids went to bed and watched a couple of funny movies from the 70's & 80's that we'd never seen. So here we are in 2010, with a 2 year old and a 3 year old, enjoying those God has blessed us with and looking forward to the memories to be made this year. February....DisneyWorld, here we come!!

June 2009

2009-06-23T23:29:00.004-04:00

Cammie turned 3 on June 21! She had a party at Monkey Joe's, with lunch, cake & presents at Nana & Papa's house on Monday. We all had a great time. Thanks to friends and family for her awesome gifts! Andy & I have had as much fun as she has playing with them (with her, of course :)! We got her a Dora scooter that she has been asking for for months. Shhh! Don't tell Cammie, because we haven't given it to her yet!! We've been so busy every day and we wanted to give it to her together, plus she's been so happy playing with her other new things that it just hasn't seemed like the right time!

Cammie is now fully potty-trained!! A battle I never thought would end and I am really enjoying being past that. Uh-oh, wait, as I write this, I see Andy changing her sheets...she just wet her bed :( Ok, so daytime potty-trained so far.

She says some really funny things now that her vocabulary is increasing! Today our dog Luke had an accident in the basement and she put her hand on his head and said, "Luke, its your responsibility to clean up your mess!" Ha! I wish!

We took the kids to the neighborhood pool for the first time this year. Devon is totally fearless! Cammie is pretty close, too. We definitely have two water lovers!

Days are busy and challenging, but also fun and rewarding. Andy & I are about to celebrate 10 years on June 26. Life is good!

Busy Days

2009-03-15T00:48:00.002-04:00

Toddlers are busy beings! They move from one event to the next all day. To explain what we've done in a day to Andy when he gets home is pretty comical. I was so thankful for the beautiful warm days we had and a friend to go to the playgrounds with that has a daughter just a little older than Cammie. I love Shelley Lake Playground! As you can see, Devon loves the slides! He is now 16 months old, walking, running, climbing, teething and getting quite the personality!Cammie is now 2 years, 8 months old. She is like a little teenager. She likes to get rub on tattoos and get her nails painted, but she runs away from me when I pull out the hairbrush. Pottytraining has been such a frustrating journey for us and we will be glad to be past that stage! Thankfully God gives good with the bad, so we really enjoy some other parts of this stage like her sweet singing and giggling and just some of the things she says that make us laugh.
Its hard to keep either of them still long enough for a picture. This is a perfect example of what its like. Life with a 1 and a 2 year old is very challenging, very rewarding and entertaining!

Thanksgiving food notes

2008-12-01T16:27:00.003-05:00

Because I'll forget by next year, I wanted to capture a few of the things I did to the turkey that worked really well.

The Turkey:

I thawed it a day early so that I could marinate overnight. My marinade injection was:
Olive oil
Worcestershire sauce
Finely chopped basil
Finely chopped cilantro
Salt
Pepper

The Gravy:

I pureed some of the veggies I roasted with the turkey (carrots, celery, garlic, onion) in a food processor (I don't like chunky gravy). I stirred this in with the drippings before adding the flour slurry (how's that for culinary-babble?). I might have added too many carrots, cause the gravy was kinda orange, but REALLY good, and it didn't need a whole lot of help to thicken.

The Leftovers:

It was kinda cold after T-day this year, so I was feeling like soup. I had a couple cups of turkey drippings left, and a bunch of chicken stock. A quick trip to the pantry, and here's what happened:
Great Northern Beans
Triple Succotash (tomato, corn, butter beans)
Sliced carrots
Chopped turkey leftovers
turkey drippings (skim off the fat... unless you want it to stick on the way down)
chicken broth
cheese tortellini
You should probably make sure everything is done before adding the tortellini so that they don't fall apart while everything else cooks.

All in all, it was a really good meal, It was a kind of pot-luck event, and everything was yummy! Thanks to all who came and shared your Thanksgiving with us. We are really thankful for our friends and family!

It's Been A Long Time!

2008-11-12T15:13:00.004-05:00

So since we haven't posted since August, you can tell how busy we've been. We now have a 1 year old and a 2 year old if that gives you an idea! Devon turned one on November 7. You can see how much he enjoyed digging in to his first piece of cake! He loves playing with his new Little People and trucks he got for his birthday! He has a very comical personality! These two are great entertainment for us! Cammie loves to dress up and help in the kitchen. She has just gotten in to watching Blues Clues and Thomas the Train reruns on the "Sprout on Demand" channel and she sings all the time. I love to hear her sing her songs about Jesus. Sometimes I get all teary-eyed. I guess you can say Cammie & Devon have the typical sibling relationship. Sometimes I feel like I play referee all day as I hear "No, Devon!" and see them pushing eachother around. Other times, they are playing so sweet together and one gives the other a hug and I just enjoy watching the moment and trying to capture it in my memory. Nap time is now over, so I must go. I do thank God for little breaks to restore my own energy!

Word "Snobbery"

2008-08-25T16:47:00.004-04:00

For various reasons I have a problem with certain words, making those who say them (including myself), sound snobbish when they are spoken out loud! I don't really blame the words themselves, because they are innocent enough, but the pronunciation of them is what get's me. What's that you say, some examples perhaps?

As any 3rd grade teacher(Thank you Mrs. Spaugh) will eagerly correct, "often" is pronounced without the "t". But whenever I do say it like that, especially if someone else has or is about to say it with the "t", I feel that I am being condescending or "grammar-preachy". I know what is correct, but the common vernacular has embraced the "t" as a letter of equal importance to the "f". I avoid this word.

Take "humble" for instance. This one wins the award for irony. It is supposed to be said with a silent "h". Everyone I know with the exception of the word-nerdy say it as it's spelled. This word, when spoken properly, is a hammer that the haughty use to put us vulgar masses in our place! The very act of saying "-umble" is an attempt to wow the listeners with the speakers knowledge of haughty grammar. Exactly contrasting the word itself. I laugh when I hear it, and avoid using the word myself. But I'm humble enough, that I find I don't have to tell everyone how "umble" I am. It pays to be so humble! ;)

"Legos" - There is a great online debate whenever someone types the plural of "Lego", as "Legos". Don't believe me, google it! I, for one say "legos" loudly and proudly. The corporate stance is that the plural is "Lego Bricks".

You know those yummy lamb pita sandwiches..."Gyros". I get so scared of embarrasing myself that I sometimes have to order something else from those greek restaurants when all I really want is a gyro. If the cashier is obviously mediteranean, I will safely order a "yee-ro". But if there is any doubt, I worry that if I say "yee-ro" they will think I'm a snobby-white guy. And if I order a "Gi-ro" They will think I'm a dumb redneck. The fear is paralyzing, and I usually end up getting kabobs. How can you say THAT wrong?

National Hair Accessory Appreciation Day

2008-08-12T14:41:00.006-04:00

I heard from a reliable source that today is National Hair Accessory Appreciation Day. What better way to celebrate then to wear a tu-tu?

Do you ...?

2008-08-12T09:40:00.003-04:00

I really need some online friends. I'm on all these online communities, and not really connected to a whole lot of people I know (except facebook). So here is where you will find me online! Hit me up sometime.

Have a Wii? Add my number 8785762163089019, and send me yours. I'd love to play GH3 with you!

Have a PS3? I'm 'donkeykickaj', look me up! Anyone like PAIN?

Twitter? Follow me.

Facebook? You should look me up, I'm there!

Have Netflix? Will you be my friend? I would be happy to share some movie suggestions!

Digg? Look me up, I'm 'josman'

FIRE!

2008-07-29T13:52:00.003-04:00

Well, more like a lower case 'fire'. Our washing machine blew up today. Luckily, I was working at home and was able to catch it. I think it's a blown motor, but I'm not going to plug it back in to diagnose it. The house smells like electrical smoke, but no scorch marks. Becky's pretty excited about getting a new washer... so I guess It ended up OK.

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update: hhgregg delivered a new washer this morning. Cammie said, "It's bigger!"

Recipe: Tushi Pasta

2008-07-26T17:37:00.005-04:00

I was at Harris Teeter today and they had a 1/2 price special on Sashimi-grade tuna steaks which means that it was handled with such care that you can eat it raw... or sushi style. Being in the mood for pasta and trying to eat healthier after a vacation, I came up with a sort of italian-blackened-sushi pasta dish.

Tuna steak, 3/4 inch thick. (I used a pound)
Chopped Basil
Chopped Green onion (I used 3 stalks)
Sliced and quartered zucchini (I used half a large one)
Can of chicken broth.
Olive Oil
Garlic (2 cloves)
Whole Wheat bowtie pasta.

I started by cooking the noodles. While the noodles were boiling, I pan fried the Zucchini, onion and garlic in a splash of olive oil while the pan was heating up for the "blackening." Once the veggies where cooked just right I set them aside and put some chicken broth over the top of them, as well as the oil they cooked in, trying to make a light sauce/dressing. I added a bit more oil to the pan and let it heat up some more.

I rubbed some dried chopped basil on both sides of the tuna steak. Since it was Sashimi-grade, I wanted the pan to be good and hot so it seared the outside without cooking it all the way through, in fact I wanted it raw in the middle. Just a quick minute or so on each side, and it was just about right. I pulled it out and sliced it up into thin strips and tossed it all together with the veggies and noodles. There was still a lot of good drippings and spices in the pan so I poured in some more chicken broth which quickly reduced and poured that with the drippings into the mix.

The Verdict:
It was so good I decided to start blogging my recipes.

Other things to try:
Next time I might include more veggies, perhaps mushrooms, maybe even some chopped stewed tomatoes. Maybe wine in the pan if I had any laying around for whatever reason.
It could probably be chilled and served as a salad.

Lessons Learned:
Be careful when flipping your steak. Searing of the skin could result if you aren't careful.

My Recipe Box!

2008-07-26T17:24:00.002-04:00

As those who know me know, I like to eat. But, I am going to let you in on a little secret. I'm what might be referred to as a bit of an experimental chef. I like to stare at the contents of the pantry and the fridge and come up with new and exciting recipes. The problem is, when they are good, they rarely get repeated. Partly because I don't measure anything, and partly because I just forget. Well I can't do anything about the first issue, I don't like to measure ingredients. It just seems to put the food in a sort of box.

What I CAN do is give a ballpark recipe here, as well as what I would do differently and what worked great. I might even log my dismal failures (if my pride isn't too much to swallow) as well, but mainly as a warning to myself, and other experimental chefs among you.

I'll be posting them here for all to see, and if you're brave enough, try for yourself.

Bon Apetit!

Kids Craft Blog

2008-07-18T06:27:00.001-04:00

Since I don't know how to add this blog. Here's a fun one if you have kids and are looking for fun craft projects to do: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/

I need a Yellow Shirt!

2008-07-07T13:52:00.002-04:00

Devon Update

2008-07-07T10:42:00.002-04:00

Here's a quick little update for Devon. He's almost 8 months old, and has the build of a future NFL linebacker (or maybe a defensive end, too early to tell for sure). He Is crawling now and he is FAST! It's not a typical crawl though, It's kind of a frog swim on land I think is the best way to describe it. He's also able to set up after crawling. Becky and I can't remember ever seeing him do that before, so we're calling this the first time.

His verbal range is increasing, both in volume and vocabulary. He can say all sorts of words... none of them english except the occasional "dada" and "mama". I'm not sure what language he is learning, but it seems to consist of sequels, giggles, piercing shrieks, and coos. Maybe it's Dutch?

He got another haircut yesterday, and once again behaved like an angel!

He continues to show his love for Mommy by sneezing while she is feeding him. To bad he doesn't Love ME like that ;) !

Remind me I have to post some video of him crawling...

Cammie Turns 2!

2008-07-02T22:49:00.005-04:00

Cammie turned 2 on June 21. She loves Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street, so we used this opportunity for her to wear her fairy costume from Halloween again (which looks kinds like Abby's) and Andy found someone who customized a picture of Cammie and made a poster of her as Cammie-Cadabby (drawyouapicture.com). She thought it was funny as you can see! Cammie also loves to help us in the kitchen, so her cousins were ready to pass on their play kitchen with lots of great accessories and the Furrys got her a chef's outfit. She had a fun party at Nana & Papa's house with Chandler, Colby & Cassidy who also dressed up like fairies! Andy & I decorated an Abby cake, too.