We have this one on canvas and over our couch in the Living Room ~ I love it!
Colton was cracking up over the photographer
I loved this one!
Colton had enough at this point
Me & my hubby
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Katie's Christmas Party
Katie's School Christmas Party 2010
This year, I signed up to be the Christmas party room mom. It was a hit and so easily organized. I had a lot of help from parents that volunteered to pick up a few items. I think the kids had a great time and loved the cheese pizza.
Here are a few pictures from the party:
The class was performing their Christmas poem for all the parents ~ they were making antlers for reindeers
This is "M" ~ the current love of Katie's life ~ he is such a cutie
All the children exchange gifts ~ Katie loved her Barbie doll
I had to take a picture of this ~ It was in celebration of Veteran's Day ~ I found it above Mrs. M's desk
Katie delivers flowers to her Grandma Jerry & Papa John
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Out of Our Lives
When I went to get Colton out of bed yesterday morning, I noticed he had removed his passy from his holder. He has done this in the past, mostly to get attention when he doesn't want to go to bed. He'll throw his passy over the bed rail into the floor, knowing that I would pick it up for him. Well, this time I couldn't find the pacifier. It wasn't in the floor this time. I told him that it's lost. He whined a little, but once he had his milk in one hand and his blanket in the other, he seemed to calm down. Before we left to go to school, I double checked and find it in his bed under a blanket. Not telling him, I hid it in his backpack. I didn't know if we might need it or not.
Later, Millard and Peggy came by and picked him up for the day. I explained the situation to them. I gave them the passy, just in case they needed it. I figured the more Colton thinks that it's gone the better for him to get over it. Last night, Millard told me when Colton would miss it, all they had to do was tell him that he threw it away. He said they had to help him take his mind off of his passy and he would be fine. Peggy said at naptime, he was fine.
At bedtime, he whined and cried a little but did good without his pacifier. I heard him cry out a time or two, but was able to sleep all night without it. YAY! This morning, he looked for his passy. As soon as I reminded him that he threw it away, he seemed fine. Hopefully, the pacifier is out of our lives and won't be coming back.
Later, Millard and Peggy came by and picked him up for the day. I explained the situation to them. I gave them the passy, just in case they needed it. I figured the more Colton thinks that it's gone the better for him to get over it. Last night, Millard told me when Colton would miss it, all they had to do was tell him that he threw it away. He said they had to help him take his mind off of his passy and he would be fine. Peggy said at naptime, he was fine.
At bedtime, he whined and cried a little but did good without his pacifier. I heard him cry out a time or two, but was able to sleep all night without it. YAY! This morning, he looked for his passy. As soon as I reminded him that he threw it away, he seemed fine. Hopefully, the pacifier is out of our lives and won't be coming back.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Deep Freeze in the South
We woke up at 15 degree weather this morning. I was so prepared to receive at call from school stating that school will be delayed for a couple of hours, but nothing. Instead, we looked like a few Eskimos getting into the vehicle this morning. We drove by the church and the fountain out front was froze over. Katie pointed it out to me right away.
Katie's school has already cancelled classes for tomorrow because a big front is suppose to come through here. This front will warm things up for the weekend.
Show and Tell
Do you remember the hard time I had decorating the Gingerbread Haunted House this past Halloween? No, well here's the post to remind you HERE! I just knew it would be my last gingerbread house to decorate for many years. It wasn't long before Katie began, "mom, when are we going to make a Gingerbread House for Christmas?" Ugh! I told her more than likely we won't be decorating another Gingerbread House anytime soon. That was until I discovered this lovely already assembled and decorated Gingerbread House staring right at me as soon as I walked into the Walmart. About a week ago, I purchased this gingerbread house for the kids for Christmas. Katie is already wanting to know when we can take it out of it's box.
Laura posted yesterday about how she's been deliberating on doing the Gingerbread House for Alise. This post reminded me that I had not shared this little jewel, I found, with you. I believe I paid $20. It's pricey, but it is so worth keeping your wrists and fingers intact. Decorating the last house, the icing was so thick that I had some trouble squeezing it out. When I finished, my hands were throbbing, but it was worth a smile on my babies' faces.
Project Kitchen/Living Room Remodeling
I'm on my 3rd week of remodeling. The cabinets are finished, as I posted before. The rest of the walls are coming right along. I'll try to post a few pictures this weekend. We'll have to stop painting and remodeling by Saturday because I've got to get to decorating for Christmas. I do have the Kitchen and hallway painting finished, except for the lime wash and above the cabinets. I started on the Living Room painting today. Doug is planning to stay home Thursday and help me finish up. Roller painting goes much quicker than brush painting, but I have to do some puttying and priming. Let's not forget that I can't paint while Colton is here. I am able to paint and do little things during his nap time, so that helps. Millard and Peggy have been complete angels picking Colton up twice a week for the day. Bottomline, things are coming together (slowly) and we couldn't be more pleased. Katie told me today that it's like coming into a different house.
Katie's school has already cancelled classes for tomorrow because a big front is suppose to come through here. This front will warm things up for the weekend.
Show and Tell
Do you remember the hard time I had decorating the Gingerbread Haunted House this past Halloween? No, well here's the post to remind you HERE! I just knew it would be my last gingerbread house to decorate for many years. It wasn't long before Katie began, "mom, when are we going to make a Gingerbread House for Christmas?" Ugh! I told her more than likely we won't be decorating another Gingerbread House anytime soon. That was until I discovered this lovely already assembled and decorated Gingerbread House staring right at me as soon as I walked into the Walmart. About a week ago, I purchased this gingerbread house for the kids for Christmas. Katie is already wanting to know when we can take it out of it's box.
Laura posted yesterday about how she's been deliberating on doing the Gingerbread House for Alise. This post reminded me that I had not shared this little jewel, I found, with you. I believe I paid $20. It's pricey, but it is so worth keeping your wrists and fingers intact. Decorating the last house, the icing was so thick that I had some trouble squeezing it out. When I finished, my hands were throbbing, but it was worth a smile on my babies' faces.
This Gingerbread House is not only boxed up, but wrapped to stay intact
I think it's cute and Katie loves it
Colton tries to get his hand in there
Katie Story
I took the kids with me to Lowes to get more supplies for my renovation project. Katie has a hard time listening to me. I like to blame the age she's in right now. LOL! I had some more paint mixed and they always dab a little on top of the lid, to show you what color you're buying. I just got through telling Katie not to touch the paint because it might be still wet. Well, I turned around and she was looking at her finger. Yep, it had paint on it. {sigh!} It looked like she wiped her finger on her pants, but I couldn't find any paint on her clothes. Ugh! I finally asked her the big question, "will you finally listen to me when you're married with children of your own?" Do you know what she asked me? "Will I be married to Miles?" she asked. Then she began giggling. I asked her if she really wanted to marry Miles. "YEP!" she responded without a second thought. Little girls, little girls are something else. All I could do was giggle. Of course, she added "but I will marry Miles after I graduate from college. Right mom?" I'm so glad she's thinking ahead. Surprised because the last time we talked she didn't want to go to college, instead she wanted to become a mom. I asked her what made her change her mind about going to college. She said she needs to go that she wanted to become a ballet teacher. Sounded good to my ears and her daddy's when I told him the story.Project Kitchen/Living Room Remodeling
I'm on my 3rd week of remodeling. The cabinets are finished, as I posted before. The rest of the walls are coming right along. I'll try to post a few pictures this weekend. We'll have to stop painting and remodeling by Saturday because I've got to get to decorating for Christmas. I do have the Kitchen and hallway painting finished, except for the lime wash and above the cabinets. I started on the Living Room painting today. Doug is planning to stay home Thursday and help me finish up. Roller painting goes much quicker than brush painting, but I have to do some puttying and priming. Let's not forget that I can't paint while Colton is here. I am able to paint and do little things during his nap time, so that helps. Millard and Peggy have been complete angels picking Colton up twice a week for the day. Bottomline, things are coming together (slowly) and we couldn't be more pleased. Katie told me today that it's like coming into a different house.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Horton Family Christmas
We had a nice little family Christmas party. It was filled with laughs, visiting and food. Lots and lots of food. My plate ran out of space for all the different food.
Kids finally get to open up their gifts
Colton got a new tractor
Katie & Trey were thick as thieves today ~ aggravating each other & running around like mad people
Henry & Doug acting silly
Ty & Trey teaching Katie how to play "Don't Break The Ice" game
Millard helping out by washing dishes
It snowed all day long. The only reason it didn't stick is because it was so warm yesterday (approx. 50 degrees)
The temperature dropped throughout the day and when it got around 28 degrees, the snow began to stick a little. It was a dry snow because the snow would just blow around with the wind.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Miss Y'all!
Painting Project
I know I've been away for a WHILE, but I couldn't help it. I've been so busy. We decided to paint the Kitchen before Christmas, so I had to get BUSY! The painting project is well on it's way. Here's proof:
Before Pictures:
As you can see, we've painted the cabinets "Cream Delight." I love them. It's like getting brand new cabinets. It was a lot of hard work and 8 days later, we finished our cabinet project and think they turned out better than I first thought. I've never done anything like this better, so I was extremely nervous. I knew we had to do something and now I don't regret it at all. If you are planning on painting your cabinets from a oil based varnish, I recommend "Zinsser Cover Stain Primer (Oil-based Interior/Exterior) Stain-Blocker/Bond Coat. It works great! I put a couple coats of primer and I'm ready for business. The top coat paint is Valspar Semi-Gloss One Coat in Cream Delight. We are planning on using the same color for all the trim in the Living Room and the rest of the Kitchen.
The Kitchen cabinets are finished, now on to the Kitchen walls. Like I said, we'll paint the trim in Cream Delight, but as of right now the main paint will be the color "Churchill Hotel Maple". Our house is small and doesn't have much interior light, so I can't go too dark. The maple color seems to be some neutral color without loosing all the light. Plus, I plan to lime wash the top half of the wall. The bottom will stay solid maple, which will be divided by a cream chair rail.
I've also picked out the tile. Doug seems to like it as well. My first choice was different colored slate on mesh sheets. The more I looked at the slate, the more I feared it would be too dark and wouldn't match the maple color paint as well. My new choice, I believe goes better with the maple. It looks kind of marbley and I love the divider and floral decoration. We plan to put the tile on our Kitchen wall for a backsplash. If we do choose to use this particular tile, we won't be able to put it up until sometime next year.
Stay tuned to more home renovations!
Katie Update
Katie took her first "spelling" test right after the Thanksgiving holiday. She did great! Mrs. M said a word and Katie had to write it down on the paper. She got every word written correctly on her test. Lastly, Mrs. M told her a sentence and Katie had to write it down. Mrs. M put a smiley face on her paper. We are so proud of her. She's worked very hard on her letter recognition and sounds. Here's a picture of her test:
I like for Katie to get involved in at least one project a year like "Operation Shoebox", "Adopt an Angel", "Cozy Coats" and "Toys for Tots". Last year, she did the "Operation Shoebox", where she filled up a big plastic shoebox full of things that would put a smile on a little girl's face overseas. This year, she adopted a 2 year old angel by the name of Jasmine from our church's Christmas tree. Of course, she had several questions. The most important was "mom, why are we buying her presents? Why doesn't Santa just give them to her on Christmas day?" You talk about doing some fast thinking. I can definitely tell she is in school now because she is coming home with questions galore. "Mom, is the toothfairy real? Mom, Savannah says that Santa's not real. He's real, Right?" (I just used the name Savannah, I really don't remember who told her what). I've been talking to her for the past month the Christmas way. How we celebrate Christmas because of Christ being born and he was given gifts, so we should give presents - to show our love. How Santa Claus is a servant for Christ just like we are servants. How Santa has helpers all over the world. Her knowing all of this information, I added that Santa has asked us to help this little girl, so she might have a wonderful Christmas. "But, Santa's real, Right?" she asked, wanting assurance. I concurred and she was satisfied. Giving her a budget, all she wanted to do was get Jasmine toys. I had to sit her down and explain that we get the things she needs first and then we look at toys, if we still have enough money leftover. You know, she did very good. She was able to get her a jacket, shoes, jammies, 2 outfits, diapers, 2 toys (doll & stuffed kitten) and stayed under budget. What a bargain shopper!
Katie has been so upset with me because we don't have our Christmas decorations out yet. I told her that I'd like to wait until we get most of the painting done. I've got a deadline of December 19th. If I don't have the painting finished by then, I'll stop and decorate the house. I have to decorate because my family (extended) is having Christmas this year at our house. Yikes! I can come up with the craziest ideas at the worst times. For the past several days, Katie has come home from school with the same statement - "you've been painting - AGAIN!" Or I get "when will you ever quit painting?" You gotta love it.
The Nutcracker Ballet
Mom, Peggy, Maryann, Natalie, Whitney, Katie and myself went to "The Nutcracker Ballet" on the 4th of December. I've never seen the ballet live, but I have read the books and enjoyed the composed music from Tchaikovsky. The Montgomery Ballet Company put on the ballet at WSCC with a few local actors and ballerinas taking part. Us ladies met up at Dairy Queen for a quick bite before the ballet. Katie was so antsy the whole time we were visiting at the restaurant.
When we finally got the the theater, we ran into a few people that we knew. Katie was so excited that Nia was there with her mom. The girls hated the fact that they couldn't sit together.
I really enjoyed the ballet, but I couldn't stop watching Katie's face. Her eyes didn't leave the stage until it was close to being over. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw the BIG nutcracker fighting off the Mouse King. When the snow fairies made their appearance, they had real snow blowing onto the front stage. Katie couldn't believe that it was snowing. During intermission, her and a few other children got up close to the stage and put their hands in the snow. It was funny, watching Mother Ginger coming out. Katie giggled and laughed, watching that crazy Mother watching after her children.
We knew the girl playing "Clara," so I was hoping Katie would imagine herself up on stage one day. She was pretty quiet, watching the ballet, the whole time. We went to the 7:00 performance, so by 9:00 I could tell she was getting pretty tired. I spoke to the parents of the girl playing Clara, he said that every performance (Friday-Sunday) were sold out, which is what we wanted to hear. Katie said she really like the ballet. I am hopeful The Montgomery Ballet Company will come back again soon for another performance.
School Christmas Party
I agreed to head up Katie's class Christmas party. What was I thinking? I have to admit that it hasn't been all that bad. I've had a few fantastic moms step up to the plate and we have the food all planned out. Katie wanted to give some little something for all the kids in her class. Here she is packing the gift bags with all kinds of goodies (pencils, game cards, and activity books):
Santa's Checking Up
Katie received a very important message from Santa. I told her that I keep Santa informed on all she does. I guess now she believes me. Here's the message she received:
Santa's message
Colton Story
As you know I've been painting our Kitchen. All of my used (good) rollers and brushes, I had soaking in a plastic bucket with some Brush Cleaner solution in it. I stopped my painting for a while because it was getting close for me to pick up Katie from school. I got Colton all ready to go out the door and I thought I had better go freshen up in the bathroom. When I came back into the Kitchen, there was Colton with my roller that he got from my solution bucket, rolling the Kitchen floor. I guess he thought he would help me out. He had white paint all over him and the floor. Here's the kicker, we had to leave as soon as possible to get Katie. We were running late by this point. All I could do was laugh because there was absolutely nothing I could do to make this situation any better. Good news, we did get to school in time to pick her up at the pick up area and I didn't have to park, run in and get her.
I know I've been away for a WHILE, but I couldn't help it. I've been so busy. We decided to paint the Kitchen before Christmas, so I had to get BUSY! The painting project is well on it's way. Here's proof:
Before Pictures:
After Pictures:
As you can see, we've painted the cabinets "Cream Delight." I love them. It's like getting brand new cabinets. It was a lot of hard work and 8 days later, we finished our cabinet project and think they turned out better than I first thought. I've never done anything like this better, so I was extremely nervous. I knew we had to do something and now I don't regret it at all. If you are planning on painting your cabinets from a oil based varnish, I recommend "Zinsser Cover Stain Primer (Oil-based Interior/Exterior) Stain-Blocker/Bond Coat. It works great! I put a couple coats of primer and I'm ready for business. The top coat paint is Valspar Semi-Gloss One Coat in Cream Delight. We are planning on using the same color for all the trim in the Living Room and the rest of the Kitchen.
The Kitchen cabinets are finished, now on to the Kitchen walls. Like I said, we'll paint the trim in Cream Delight, but as of right now the main paint will be the color "Churchill Hotel Maple". Our house is small and doesn't have much interior light, so I can't go too dark. The maple color seems to be some neutral color without loosing all the light. Plus, I plan to lime wash the top half of the wall. The bottom will stay solid maple, which will be divided by a cream chair rail.
I've also picked out the tile. Doug seems to like it as well. My first choice was different colored slate on mesh sheets. The more I looked at the slate, the more I feared it would be too dark and wouldn't match the maple color paint as well. My new choice, I believe goes better with the maple. It looks kind of marbley and I love the divider and floral decoration. We plan to put the tile on our Kitchen wall for a backsplash. If we do choose to use this particular tile, we won't be able to put it up until sometime next year.
Stay tuned to more home renovations!
Katie Update
Katie took her first "spelling" test right after the Thanksgiving holiday. She did great! Mrs. M said a word and Katie had to write it down on the paper. She got every word written correctly on her test. Lastly, Mrs. M told her a sentence and Katie had to write it down. Mrs. M put a smiley face on her paper. We are so proud of her. She's worked very hard on her letter recognition and sounds. Here's a picture of her test:
"The man ran"
Katie has been so upset with me because we don't have our Christmas decorations out yet. I told her that I'd like to wait until we get most of the painting done. I've got a deadline of December 19th. If I don't have the painting finished by then, I'll stop and decorate the house. I have to decorate because my family (extended) is having Christmas this year at our house. Yikes! I can come up with the craziest ideas at the worst times. For the past several days, Katie has come home from school with the same statement - "you've been painting - AGAIN!" Or I get "when will you ever quit painting?" You gotta love it.
The Nutcracker Ballet
Mom, Peggy, Maryann, Natalie, Whitney, Katie and myself went to "The Nutcracker Ballet" on the 4th of December. I've never seen the ballet live, but I have read the books and enjoyed the composed music from Tchaikovsky. The Montgomery Ballet Company put on the ballet at WSCC with a few local actors and ballerinas taking part. Us ladies met up at Dairy Queen for a quick bite before the ballet. Katie was so antsy the whole time we were visiting at the restaurant.
When we finally got the the theater, we ran into a few people that we knew. Katie was so excited that Nia was there with her mom. The girls hated the fact that they couldn't sit together.
I really enjoyed the ballet, but I couldn't stop watching Katie's face. Her eyes didn't leave the stage until it was close to being over. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw the BIG nutcracker fighting off the Mouse King. When the snow fairies made their appearance, they had real snow blowing onto the front stage. Katie couldn't believe that it was snowing. During intermission, her and a few other children got up close to the stage and put their hands in the snow. It was funny, watching Mother Ginger coming out. Katie giggled and laughed, watching that crazy Mother watching after her children.
We knew the girl playing "Clara," so I was hoping Katie would imagine herself up on stage one day. She was pretty quiet, watching the ballet, the whole time. We went to the 7:00 performance, so by 9:00 I could tell she was getting pretty tired. I spoke to the parents of the girl playing Clara, he said that every performance (Friday-Sunday) were sold out, which is what we wanted to hear. Katie said she really like the ballet. I am hopeful The Montgomery Ballet Company will come back again soon for another performance.
School Christmas Party
I agreed to head up Katie's class Christmas party. What was I thinking? I have to admit that it hasn't been all that bad. I've had a few fantastic moms step up to the plate and we have the food all planned out. Katie wanted to give some little something for all the kids in her class. Here she is packing the gift bags with all kinds of goodies (pencils, game cards, and activity books):
Santa's Checking Up
Katie received a very important message from Santa. I told her that I keep Santa informed on all she does. I guess now she believes me. Here's the message she received:
Santa's message
Colton Story
As you know I've been painting our Kitchen. All of my used (good) rollers and brushes, I had soaking in a plastic bucket with some Brush Cleaner solution in it. I stopped my painting for a while because it was getting close for me to pick up Katie from school. I got Colton all ready to go out the door and I thought I had better go freshen up in the bathroom. When I came back into the Kitchen, there was Colton with my roller that he got from my solution bucket, rolling the Kitchen floor. I guess he thought he would help me out. He had white paint all over him and the floor. Here's the kicker, we had to leave as soon as possible to get Katie. We were running late by this point. All I could do was laugh because there was absolutely nothing I could do to make this situation any better. Good news, we did get to school in time to pick her up at the pick up area and I didn't have to park, run in and get her.
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