von Frinkenhagen

5/52

2012-02-07T13:42:00.003-06:00

Looks like being late at this is my "thing" this year. The theme was "Self Portrait with Loved Ones" or "Liquid". It is clear which one I picked.

I realized that it was Tuesday and I still had not done my Week 5 shot and it was now Week 6, soooo....fresh in from a 3 mile run, I told Kaylynn to lay down and keep Ben there. Stuck the camera on the ground and hit the timer. There you go.

On the bright side, I am actually in a photo with my kids! Unfortunately, I look like...well, like I just finished running. :)

4/52

2012-01-30T18:17:00.002-06:00

Week 4/52 was a little late. Oh well! I took this today, after a picking of broccoli and brussel sprouts. The theme was "Unexpected Perspective."

An Interview - Kaylynn, Age 3

2012-01-22T20:32:00.003-06:00

I have seen this a jillion times on Pinterest. A yearly interview to see how answers/preferences change throughout the year. I did this for Kaylynn back in December. It was quite entertaining, to say the least. A lot of her answers had to do with things she had on her mind right.then.and.there. :)

1.What is your favorite color? Yellow
2. What is your favorite toy? Cupcakes (she got play cupcakes for her kitchen for Christmas.)
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apples (ummm, I don't think that is accurate. Banana? Sure. Strawberries? Yup. Grapes? Why not. Apples? HUH?!)
4. What is your favorite TV show? Wonderpets
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Sandwiches (she is totally our child. We are huge sandwich fans.)
6. What is your favorite thing to wear? Tutu
7. What is your favorite thing to learn about? Jesus
8. What is your favorite animal? Giraffe
9. What is your favorite song? Wheels on the Bus
10. What is something Mama or Daddy tells you? When you have to poop, just push your poop out.
11. What is your favorite book? Olivia
12. Who is your friend? Jackson
13. What is your favorite cereal? O's and Hearts cereal (My mom always has Kashi's Heart to Heart...that's what she's talking about.)
14. What do you like to do outside? Play ball
15. What is your favorite thing to drink? Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Costume holiday (I think she means Halloween.)
17. What do you like to take to bed with you? Blanket
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Oatmeal
19. What makes you happy? When you (Mommy) uses nice words. (I always use nice words!)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Mom and Dad, but Dad first. (Probably because Dad is so much fun!)

Out of the mouths of babes. I look forward to seeing how this changes each year!

3/52

2012-01-21T22:01:00.001-06:00

Week 3's themes were Negative/White Space or Everyday Tools. I don't particularly like the use of negative space here, but it was the best I had for the themes this week.

I took this at Terramont Park. Ben was having a good time scaling the walls, trying to walk. I tried to get him to look at me, but he couldn't stop watching Kaylynn. You see, Little Miss doesn't walk anywhere - she either runs or hops. This time, she was running.

A Couple Updates

2012-01-17T21:45:00.001-06:00

Clearing out the backlog.

Christmas
http://vonfrinkenhagen.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-2011.html

Discovery Science Museum in Tyler
http://vonfrinkenhagen.blogspot.com/2011/12/discovery-science-museum.html

2/52

2012-01-14T21:33:00.004-06:00

The theme this week was "Open" or "Responsibility". I went with "Responsibility."

Week 2's photo was taken on my dad's 60th birthday! We went to Angel Fire, NM to celebrate with his friends, Kent & Mary. Kent said Kaylynn was at a good age to start the ski learning process. This photo was taken in the backyard, as we figured it would be better to see if she was in the right mood before we loaded up and drove to the slopes!

She was a rockstar! I cannot wait until she is one of those little kids zooming past me, heading down blue runs.

Let's Do 52 - 1/52

2012-01-05T15:33:00.004-06:00

I have decided to participate in Paint the Moon Photography's 52 week photo challenge. I go through spurts of picture taking around here. We'll do something fun, go somewhere or something and I'll take pictures, but then we'll go 3-4 weeks with nothing, then all of a sudden another huge crop of pictures. This is to help me be more deliberate about my photo taking.

So, the rules. Each week Annie @ PTM give 2 themes to choose from and you use your creative abilities (or non-abilities, in my case) to take a photo that matches that. This week's themes were Sharing or All Natural. I took a cute photo of Kaylynn and Ben having some fun "Dora house" time, but it was just too bright. Scrap it and move on.

My week 1/52 photo ended up being one of Kaylynn outside. She found a stick and was twirling around with it and hitting the dogwood tree. It sent Ben into fits of hysterical laughter. Awesome! I love belly laughs!

Discovery Science Museum

2011-12-31T21:46:00.000-06:00

The week after Christmas, we met up with my long-time BFF, Allison, her very patient husband, Peter, her wacky, fun mom, and 3 wild nieces and nephews for some museum fun on a coooold day.

Not sure who had more fun, the kids or the adults!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-31T21:16:00.002-06:00

Christmas is always so fast and crazy that I never devote enough time to properly documenting it. This is fast and hurried, but then again, it fits. Ready? Go.

Beginning with the Carbaugh Christmas on December 17th..

Looking for deer, hunter-style.

Annual 4 generation photo: Honey, then her two daughters: Aunt Lila and Mom, then their two daughters: Abby and me, then our two daughters: Tatum and Kaylynn

The ONLY way to eat black olives.

Next moving to Christmas morning at home...

Buahahaha, sweet girl will hate us for this later. :). She is usually a morning person.

Checking out the loot.

Later that morning we moved on to Mom and Dad's house, where the entire clan was waiting on us. The Frinks are early risers...us Moores are not. :)

Aunt Donna got duped into playing Thomas the Train with the kids.

I have no idea who had control of the camera, so enter the strain of random photos.

Our little Santas. Kaylynn, Reindeer Mike, Melissa, & Anthony

Ben: " I am not a girl, I do NOT wear bows!"

Ben's first basketball!

Kaylynn said, " Uncle Mike is Lonestar's daddy.".

Last, but not least, Reindeer Dad. :)

It was a great day! Very relaxed (or maybe that was the wine), crazy, wild, and fun! We need to get these folks together more often.

Evergreen, CO 2011

2011-12-30T11:42:00.001-06:00

The day after Kaylynn's birthday, we borrowed my mom's car and hit the road. We were driving to Colorado to meet our friends Kyle, Jessi, and their son Carter in Evergreen, CO. Kyle's dad has a place there, so it seemed the perfect "in-between" spot. We drove from Frankston to Amarillo on Day 1, then Day 2, we were on the road at 6am to make it there by lunch. The kids were rockstars in the car!

Some things to note:
1. On the first day, upon arriving in Amarillo, the kids were so wired from being in the car that they were crawling around like crazy in the hotel room. Kaylynn would chase Ben, then they would stop and she would scream, "Hello, friend!" and then TACKLE him. Ben just laughed and laughed, rolled over, and then crawling chase continued. This went on for like 45 minutes. Insane!
2. Speed limit on interstates in CO is 75mph!
3. When we left to head home, we pulled out of the driveway at 5:57am, Mountain Time. We arrived back home in Frankston around 11pm that night. Had it not been for the 2hr traffic jam in OKC, we would have made it by 9. I think going the Kansas/OK way is the better choice. Just sayin'.

Now get ready for 20+ pictures. :)

Welcome to New Mexico! This was Ben's first time to visit another state! I think it was both of their first times to drive across a state line. So being the mother, I decided that we needed to stop the car and bundle the kids up in 20 degree weather (at like 8am) to take this photo. Thank goodness for camera timers (and cars to prop them up on...really need to invest in a tripod.)

In the beginning, it was all going well. Carter wouldn't walk, Ben couldn't, but since Kaylynn was walking, Brian and I could take turns with Ben. Notice how he doesn't hold on.

It was all downhill after this. Kaylynn decided that walking in the snow was not fun. She saw that Carter was being carried and figured she should be as well.

Cool man, CTP!

The Frink Family, and a faceless Kaylynn, it looks like.

The Podd Family

Group photo - The Frink kids were not feeling the photos today.

1-2-3- SWING!!

Sweet Ben in his "Buddy Lee" hat.

A little help, please! Turns out that hikes through the snow with toddlers aren't the smartest things to do. Especially when one of those toddlers is a 25lb NONwalker.

Apparently, it is legal for canines to drive in Evergreen. Who knew?!

Night view of Denver from the Podd's house in Evergreen.

The last picture of Kaylynn smiling. :)

Ben had the best deal of all, someone to carry him everywhere.

Love this picture! She was still happy and enjoyed pulling the sled.

Where is Carter's face???

And, we're off! Frinks take the lead...

But we were soon surpassed by the Podds.

Even though Jessi and Carter "technically" won, I consider Kaylynn and I to be the real winners, as we didn't have to climb as far back up the hill!

That was not fun. Not at all.

Ready to sled with Dad!

Going down is a lot more fun than going up.

You take a picture of me, I take a picture of you (taking a picture.)

Poor buddy. Those are some chilly cheeks.

The snow sprayed me. :(

Hayley with two very cold, very unhappy kiddos.

Daytime view of Denver

Cream of Wheat - Breakfast of Champions

A 3 Year Old?

2011-12-20T20:44:00.004-06:00

For real. Wow. Photo: December 10th, 2011 - Frankston City Park - 3rd Birthday

This pretty much sums her up - the words and the photo. If you've ever met her, then you know how she pretty much brightens up any room. I don't know what 3 year olds are supposed to be like, but our biased opinion points her to "ridiculously smart" - too smart for her own good. She is not potty trained, still, and fights it daily. She also continues to have her little tantrums, but that is because she knows what she wants, when she wants it. I have a feeling that we will continue to butt heads for many years, but I hope this head-strong personality continues.

"They" always say that every kid is different. "They" were not lying. This particular child has never met a stranger. She goes around asking everyone at stores what they are doing, what their name is, how many they are, if they are a boy or a girl (even when it is painfully obvious.) Then there is my all-time favorite (not) - asking ME, from the backseat of the car, if the girl in the drive-thru window is a fat one. That is after asking me if she is a girl or a boy. ::sigh::

She told me today that I (mom) am a genius. "Mommy, you're a genius!" And also that she liked me. I wish I had a recorder. Might be the last time I hear those words until she is like 25. :)

Thank you for being our little sunshine. You definitely make us happy when skies are gray!

Love you bunches, baby girl!

Yee-Haw! I'm a Cowgirl!

2011-11-28T23:15:00.003-06:00

Horse riding at the Moore's. She sure does love that CR. :)

"Make him run fast!"

We had a hard time trying to get her to walk wide circles. Poor Little Nicky (the horse) was practically walking on herself.

Not exactly sure what is going on here, but those are big horse teeth!

And ending the afternoon with a little roping session.

Modern Housewife?

2011-11-24T22:55:00.001-06:00

Kaylynn might try to bring back the whole "vacuuming in heels" look of the 1950's. Have at it, girlfriend. You can vacuum my bedroom, next!

(PS, they are all blurry, because she couldn't stand still. I just had to include them for memory's sake)

(PPS, after naps, one can usually find her in a shirt and diaper. I promise we have not turned redneck after a few months in the country.)

I stand just like this in heels. Always turning my ankle on purpose when standing. Nervous habit, I think.

Hehe. Love her and that tiny hiney!

Dallas Zoo

2011-11-19T22:07:00.002-06:00

We hit up the Dallas Zoo when we traveled up for Ben's 2nd to last helmet appointment. On the way to the Big D, Kaylynn asked if she could pet a giraffe because, "giraffes are my favorite." I told her I didn't think so, giraffes are usually far away. I was way wrong.

A nice man took our picture. I am holding over 50lbs of children here, near a safari animal...I think I win the "Beast of the Year" award.

Big a$$ python. For real. We spent waaaayyy too much time in the reptile house.

She was a fan of the goats.

Sweet boy!

Check it!

2011-11-14T22:03:00.003-06:00

Have I mentioned how much I love shutterfly? No? I do. Very much so. Between my two sisters-in-law and myself, I am fairly certain we could single-handedly keep them in business!

My latest fun find is Kaylynn's 3rd Birthday invites. Check it out!

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=3a90fdcbe62634076cdd16a80fdf8c46&sid=8AbMmzZm2ZNWH4

Yellow Swings

2011-11-06T16:22:00.002-06:00

I think yellow swings make parks more fun (especially when your little man is sporting a gray shirt...gray and yellow - who likes that?!) Here's to killing some time in Dallas after having a little picnic lunch.

This just makes me laugh!

You cannot see this, but she was dancing. I don't know what it is about strangers that makes this girl want to shake her booty!

This slide was BIG. She went down it with no fear. I, however, had fear. The first time, I was holding Ben and all I thought was, "How will I catch her when she flips over the edge?" She was at the bottom before I could finish my thought.

Raspberry Fingers

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

Uno. Dos. Tres. Quatro. CINCO!!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-03T14:04:00.014-06:00

What I have learned about Halloween with a 2-3 year old and a 1 year old. Pick their costumes. Kaylynn wanted to be about 50 different things over the course of the month, so we waited until the last minute and cowgirl was the winner (default, actually, it was this or Princess Belle - she had no idea who that was, only that it was a pretty yellow dress.) Next year, I'm planning in advance, and picking their outfits. Just saying.

We began the night by heading up to the baptist church in town and enjoying their Fall Festival. There may or may not have been a huge tantrum at the car when leaving because someone wanted a cupcake. We told her earlier she could have one but she couldn't eat it until after trick or treating, then she forgot about it and wanted to go trick or treating. I guess getting to the car, she realized she had no cupcake. It was a monster fit.

So here is the only picture we got of the cowgirl fully in costume. She lost the hat and horse about 5 seconds after this picture.

Ben was a member of the greatest football team in all the land - Manchester United! Brian went through his jerseys and found one that matched (seriously, he has like 30 different jerseys.) I joked and said they were Rooney and Giggs (Rooney is young, Giggs is old...at least in soccer terms.)

After the festival, we headed back to the house to start trick or treating. It took us forever just to drive down the street to get to our house. I guess since most people don't live in the "neighborhood", everyone drives in to get candy. It was a madhouse. We were not expecting that many kids. I bought 2 bags of candy, one was one of those monster 153 piece bags, and Mom bought 2 and a box of pretzels. She ran out of everything about 20 minutes before we got home. We know now for next year.

What Ben did all night - hang out in the wagon and drink milk. All snuggly warm, I think he had the best deal of the night.

Everyone is tired. Kaylynn loaded up and we headed back home.

Checking out the loot. Sadly for Ben, he didn't get to enjoy those M&M's. Mean parents mixed with only having 2 teeth. Kaylynn started out the night by wanting to eat each piece instead of putting it in the bag. She ate some of those nasty Whoppers. Gross!

This is the best we get...at least they are looking in the same direction! Maybe it's just me, but Kaylynn is looking especially sassy in this picture. Almost like she wants to roll her eyes at me or something. Please - not yet!!

Til next year!

Moore Farms

2011-10-31T14:16:00.036-06:00

On Saturday, we visited Moore Farms (no relation), outside Bullard. Since we've been huge procrastinators this Halloween, we were not sure what to expect showing up the Saturday before Halloween (the day they closed). We were very happy with our outing! I am pretty sure Kaylynn was as well. Warning - this is very photo heavy.

Kaylynn immediately clung to the wagon. The girl loves wagons!

We all enjoyed a fun, tractor-pulled hayride.

They found the perfect pumpkins.

Calling the tractor. "A-hooo-wa!"

Gotta have more cowbell.

Our two little pumpkins!

Pumping water, old school.

There were chickens enjoying their free range. some goats, and potbelly pigs that you could feed. We did not feed them, as we have been reading Curious George and the zoo and how "unless you are a zookeeper, don't feed the animals." I did offend the pigs, because I guess I have not seen an adult potbelly before. It looked like it was VERY preggo and about to pop. It was not.

Our attempt at a family photo.

Tractor Fun! Ben thought the bouncy seat was awesome!

They had a neat little corn growth chart that said, "How tall this fall." It'll be fun to see the difference each year!

The "corn tub" was a hit. There was another little girl that would not get out, so we shared the corn fun. I have heard of places (where they have a real fall) that have a whole corn pit, like a ball pit, that you can crawl all through. Fun!

We are excited to head back next year! Lucky for us, there is more pumpkin fun to be had in November - Dallas Arboretum & Dewberry Farms!

Random Happenings

2011-10-25T13:19:00.001-05:00

The weather got cool and we had some park fun.

And we also got angry having snacks on the dirty kitchen floor. That dang floor can never stay clean!

And then someone did a little talking about how much he loves his new book holder and then played with big sister's Dora house. I finally made something from Pinterest! I pinned this early on in my Pinterest addiction and finally decided to make something! I am going to make him one more to go above it, and then we are going to get this Big Ben wall decal from etsy to put to the left of them.

**On a side note** I am not a fan of that Dora house. I have a couple of Plan Toys doll houses in mind when she gets a little older. This will do for now. :) Oh, and if you are wondering why this post is a little "Ben Heavy" it is because Little Miss is not into getting her picture taken. Getting her to look at a camera is like pulling teeth.

1 Year!

2011-10-18T21:22:00.003-05:00

Dear Ben,

"Here I'm singing happy birthday..." Your first trip around the sun has passed in the blink of an eye. In our little family, we like to commemorate this epic day by listening to this JB song. I think it is our only birthday tradition.

You are such a little busy body, already showing me what people mean by when they say that someone is "all boy." I think that trying to eat cat food, splash water on the floor, throwing blocks/balls/cars/cups/food/any other toy, trying to eat leaves and mulch, pulling your sister's hair, and screaming at the top of your lungs constitute "all boy."

I could go on and on about what you eat (everything) and your new skills (...) but it is more fun to see how you have changed in your first year. You don't even look like the same baby that was throwing us the deuce a year ago.

[left to right, top to bottom - birth, 1 month, etc. to 11 months.]

And 1 year

Ben, (since you're technically a toddler, I guess I better stop calling you Benny Boo Boo) we hope you have enjoyed your first trip around the sun. Here's to many more, sweet boy!

Love,
Mama & Dada

11 Months

2011-09-26T21:53:00.000-05:00

Ben,

In just 1 short month, you will be an entire year old - one finger!

Right after you turned 10 months, you officially became mobile. You crawl everywhere now. You pull up to your knees, but are still wobbly on your feet. My biggest challenge with your new found mobility is keeping you away from the cat food/water. They are like a magnet for you. It is to the point that even Kaylynn chimes in, "Ben, we don't eat cat food." Who am I kidding, she loves telling you what to do, so she jumps at the chance!

You kissed purees good-bye for good. After last month, I thought I might get a few in, but I tried feeding you oatmeal the other day and it did not go over well. You are not happy unless you are eating exactly what we are. Seriously, you get ANGRY. That's good though, it makes us watch what we eat. We have weaned you down to 3 bottles (cups a day), so we are right at the target 24oz for milk at 1 year. You have 2 cans of nasty formula left and as soon as those are gone, we are saying adios to that junk.

You don't say "word" words, but you are getting closer and closer. You can say "dada" and "mama". When we point to a dog, you make a "duh" sound, which is very different from your "dada" sound. It is pretty consistent, so there may be some association there. Also, recently, when we tell you "night-night", you repeat "nahnah". Maybe it is a coincidence, but again, it is consistent.

And another new thing is your attachment to a few certain things - namely an animal book. If we want you to crawl our way, we just flash the book (or a bottle) and you come speeding. I have also been assaulted with the book, since when you want it read, you throw it. Actually, you throw everything. Everything. You do a better job with your left hand (yet eat with your right)...only time will tell which one wins.

1 more month until you go from being my sweet little baby boy to my sweet toddler boy...minus the whole toddling part. I'm putting my money on walking in January (14-15 months). Oh. Just for fun, Kaylynn has recently started calling you "Jamin", just leaving off the whole "Ben" part. Quite funny, that sister of yours. You seem to think so, too, most of the time. You know, when she's not tackling you or pulling you down to the ground.

Love you, buddy boy!

Mama

Time Out

2011-09-12T14:45:00.000-05:00

Doesn't she look so sad?? One day she'll learn not to splash water in her brother's face. Or not.

Breakfast Talk

2011-08-25T07:54:00.001-05:00

This is what was heard around the table this morning:

K: We can go for a walk and then go to the park!

Mama: Not today, sweetie, it is all wet outside.

K: From the sprinkler?

Mama: Nope. From the rain last night.

K: Oh. Mama, you don't see thunder, you hear thunder. And you don't hear lightning, you see lightning. And the big big rain, came from the big clouds in the sky. We got a big rain, but we need more big big rain. Yeah.

10 Months!

2011-08-23T21:35:00.000-05:00

Dear Benny-Boo,

I think I have a serious problem, because I cannot stop calling you that, and I would cringe if I ever heard a person seriously call you "Benny". Or "Boo Boo"...I mean, come on, that's a dog's name - or that little bear with Yogi. I'm so sorry, Ben. Forgive me? I knew you would. ;)

Well, at 10 months, not a lot has changed from 9 months. You are *this* close to crawling. You will go from sitting to all fours, rock away, then sit back down. Not sure what the deal is, but you'll figure it out when you want, I guess. You have started waving, which is fun. You are getting better with word association, too, because when we say "hi" your hand goes up! You also can also look at certain things when I say "Ben, can where's _____?" Like the dog, your daddy, Kaylynn, your mama, the cat. Your sounds have also progressed from dadada's to "wah, wah", nanana, bababa (which I think you think is your milk), etc. Growling is your preferred method of communication. When we ask you to say "dada", you growl it out - hilarious! Though your "dada" kinda thinks you might not be able to say it normally anymore (you can!)

You are a champ with a straw cup now. To the point where I can probably put the bottles away, but I kinda like our morning snuggles with your bottle. The happiest part of your day, usually. Generally, you are a happy boy, but when you get mad, you get MAD. It usually revolves around food, which comes with the territory of being Brian's son. I think you are beyond the baby food purees now. We tried feeding you some the other night and you refused to eat them, but preferred the soba noodles that we were having. So begins the table food transition - so far spaghetti is a HUGE favorite, something your sister doesn't really care for. You chowed down on avocado and black beans tonight, which was a hit as well. We'll just see what we can give you from our dinner each night and go from there, I guess. Kaylynn and you are night and day different, that's for sure.

Everyone who sees you says the same things, "look at his beautiful blue eyes " and "he's huge!" Both are true statements. I am so jealous of your eyes. They are so crystally blue, it's ridiuclous! And you are such a big boy! It really baffles me, because I can find 1 tiny fat roll on your leg, but you are the size and weight of Kaylynn at 15 months. That is crazy. Not fat by any means, just really, really solid. I am having to buy 18 month sleepers for my 10 month old, because you are too long for the others. You fit into mostly 12 month clothes right now (besides said sleepers.)

New to this next month is your Doc band helmet. At your 9 month appointment, your new pediatrician affirmed (without my prompting) what I had been fearing since at least 6 months - your head is flat. He sent us to Dallas to meet with some orthodists to see about trying to shape your head appropriately. Besides cosmetic reasons, there are health reasons for it - avoiding underbites, TMJ, sleep apnea, and sinus problems. We need to pray that you have a growth spurt during the wearing of this helmet, as that is how it works - with growth. We should have done this earlier, but we kept thinking it would fix itself - Kaylynn's did. You love sleeping flat on your back still, so I guess that's why it didn't. Anywho, I hate that you have to have it, but I am going to make the most of it and decorate it to look like an Aggie football helmet, just in time for the first football game!

Receiving your cousin's 1st birthday invitation this week has kinda made me freak out a bit - yours is just a month after his! Too soon. I hate the idea of you turning 1 already. I just want you to stay my sweet baby boy forever and ever. Ok, not really, I want you to have a great and full-filled life, but I really love your little baby self.

Love you, little Benny-Boo!

Mama