With winter comes delightful static electricity. Ahhh, good times. Carter is getting fairly good about putting on her hood or hat and leaving it on, but she knows something's up when she takes it off. I think she can feel her hair standing up from the static!
With hair like this, it's no wonder - she probably can feel it standing up!!
"My hair is bigger than me!"
You wouldn't know from the look of it, but Carter's got yet another cold. This one is called Rose-a-something, and we just have to "wait it out" said the doctor. It's a virus that brings on a fever for a couple days (we'll be through with that by Friday), and then about a day after the fever comes a rash.
Awesome ... another rash ... that'll be great ...
"If I'm not watching Blues Clues with Mommy, or playing with the timer, I am MAD BABY!"
Tonight, through the wonder and animation that is Charlie Brown, we learned the true meaning of Christmas. It isn't the commercialized crap, the Elmo TMX, the life-sized ponies or the name brand clothing, it isn't the biggest, most elaborate and gawdy tree, and it isn't individual. Christmas is about spending cherished time with the people we hold closest. And not hitting Lucy in the face - jerk!
Carter was 100% immersed in the joy of the Charlie Brown Christmas. It was the sweetest thing, and the beginning of a Chalupa tradition.
And I'm making her a special "Linus-blankie" for Christmas.
After sharing some chocolate ice cream with me (SEE ANDY! She liked it!), we snuggled, played and watched Charlie Brown
Lucy sucks.
Carter, Daddy and I enjoyed (well, Daddy didn't really enjoy it, but that's too bad!) our new Charlie Brown Tradition.
Carter "assisted" with the final touch on most of our Christmas gifts. I figured, "huh, shiny ribbons and pretty curls. She'll enjoy watching." Right. She was grabbing handfuls of tapes and unwinding yards of ribbon. If I moved the scissors to my left, that's where she wanted to be. When I moved them on the blanket, that's where she wanted to be. You can see where this is going!
CUTE, but NO HELP!
"Moms, here's the tape!"
"This one (Mackenzie's) needs white and red ribbon! Let's get curling!"
"Here's all the white ribbon you'll ever need!"
Too bad I couldn't use it to string her up!
I think that I should preface this with the following message: I love my child, but am a very immature person! In the past two years, since the first news of "the baby" settled in, we've all grown up nicely, but every now and then something from our goofy, immature past finds its way into our grown-up lives. This is a perfect example:
Andy Haning, Andy, and I used to fight to be the "Present Bitch," and pass out gifts at Christmas time. The "PB" is pretty similar to Santa, but naughtier. I didn't even think about it when Carter was playing with the Santa hat. She was adorable, so I put her in the chair, plopped the hat on her and hurried to take a picture before she ripped it off. This is what I got! Totally "mature" parents!
The City of Des Moines has been doing some pretty sweet stuff downtown to make it more appealing. Principal (Andy's work of choice) has funded The River Walk, a fancy path along the Des Moines River. There is an Asian garden, the new Science Center and general improvement all around. The newest addition to downtown is the Brenton Ice Rink, and it's wonderful!
Andy, Tim, Andy, Carter and I headed out for a "family night" on the town. We had dinner at Fazoli's, and then headed to the ice rink. We waited in the long line, and we all were a bit overwhelmed by the packed ice and our own inabilities (or, at least, Tim and I were nervous!). But once we got our "ice feet," all was good. I took a couple laps with Tim and Andy, while Andy and Carter watched from the side. Carter didn't miss a second of the action! When I was comfortable with my skating abilities, I brought Carter out onto the ice for a lap. She was so excited! She babbled and talked the entire lap around! I passed her off to Andy so he could skate with her, and so I could watch, and she never stopped beaming that smile of hers! I took her again, and after a bit, I let her walk while I held her hands. She actually did a fabulous job of pulling me along with her! And when I passed her off to Andy for a break, she cried when she left the ice. She had a fantastic time!
It was a great night out, and the cheapest form of awesome entertainment we've found so far. We will definitely be going back soon!
Andy and Carter gear up to skate in warm mittens and hats
It's the Skating Chalupa's!
Andy and Carter take a lap on the busy, but fun, ice
Andy and I take a leisurely skate
Me, Andy, and Tim, skating fools!
Andy, Carter, and I ... she just can't wait to get moving on the ice!
Carter, pulling me, along the ice! And she's off!
My perfect Christmas tree is one that only has "special" ornaments. The ones that bring back the meaningful, important memories. I always knew we'd have one, but I figured it be years down the road. We'd put the tree up and dig out these fragile, and sometimes tacky, decorations that made of think of "that time in Mexico" or "when Carter first ..." and "that trip we all took to the Dells." I didn't think our tree would be so special to me now, so early on. But as I opened the decoration box, I found the most precious and sentimental ornaments that kinda got me teared up a bit. Here are my Top 510 Favorite Ornaments, and why:
L - "Baby's First Christmas" and Carter pictures had me all in a fit!
R - Andy, me, Shane & Kelsey in our gangster gear at the Dells in 2003.
L - "The Chalupa's" circa 2005, complete with a Daddy and Mommy reindeer and a little Carter-deer!
R - My wedding ornament ... ohhhh
L - Direct from The Hacienda in the Riveria Mya, Mexico, is my little red stocking
R - The coconut-husk angel and Maui golfing Santa, both from sunny, warm Hawaii 
L - Andy and I, skiing in 2002, snuggling and having a ball being dorks!
R - Carter and I, on my 26th birthday with everything to be thankful for
L - My best Christmas gifts ever: Andy and Carter
R - Amid the Y2K computer scare, Andy kept calm!
It's official: Christmas is upon us! Proof: my house is a disaster zone and our tree has been lit! It's gorgeous, and it makes me smile!
Sammy apparently is not in the Christmas spirit, as he attacks Santa
Carter helps me "fluff" the tree branches ...
... and she helps Daddy put the stand together
"Here's another, Mommy!"
Technically, neither of you should be under the tree!
Ho, ho, ho! It's Christmas Baby!
"Mommy, I shouldn't be wearing this!"
Carter helps put the finishing touches on the tree ... and ...
Perfection!
No, that's not your eyes deceiving you - our tree has nothing on the bottom foot. Wanna guess why???
Yes, as the commercial says, you can definately "live it up" at Riverside Casino & Resort! Andy and I frequented the Casino this morning, just to check it out, and I walked away with $10, after I'd won $30! I love gambling!!!
Live it up!
This is all the $$$ I walked away with! Big Spender! I'm a Baller!
Andy, on the other hand, didn't even have $$$ for a soda on the ride home :(
Not just eating Oreo's, but being smart enough to separate the black cookie part to only eat the side with the delicious white filling on it! That's happiness, and Carter figured out the key within three Oreo's!
"MOMMY! MOMMY!!! I LOVE OREO's!!!"
You've got to be out of your mind if you think I'm picking you up with those grub-hands! Fill up the bathtub!
At school, we start every school year out with a get-to-know-you activity called "I Am." Each person gets up and tells "what" they are. Mine goes like this: I am Kelly Chalupa, and I am a daughter, a mother, a friend, a wife, a teacher, an aunt ...." I'm pretty proud of being an aunt because it isn't something that, as an only child, I never thought I'd get to be. I am thankful for each and every family member and friend I'm lucky enough to be blessed with, but I'm very thankful for my girls, Carter and Courtney.
And they are oh so wonderful!
"That's my toy, but I will let you play with it, Cousin, because I love you!"
That's our girl, Courtney Clara (14 months)
And my favorite toddler, Carter Kay (15 months)
Our gruesome-twosome!
Happy Thanksgiving! Hope it was turkey-filled and fabulous!
Like Willie said: "I just can't wait to get on the road again!" With a loaded car and our stylin' shades, Andy, Carter and I hit the road for home!
That's right ... I'm bringin Sexy Back!
Rock 'N' Roll Baby!
Happy Thanksgiving, all! We are currently preparing for a visit home (yeah!), so Chalupas.net won't be updated for a few days. In the meantime, sleep in and watch lots of parades and football, stuff yourself silly with turkey and pumpkin pie, and remember that we love you guys! Be thankful for what really matters in life: family and friends.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love ~ Andy, Kelly & Carter
... or, at least, she eats the Learning Worm! I guess she's hungry for knowledge! Ahh chaa chaa!
"Look, Daddy! i'm eating the alphabet!"
Worm ears are the best!!
Tim always does what we want to do. Perfect example: IKEA. So when Tim says, "hey do you wanna ..." I do my very best to make it happen. This "do you wanna" was the Trans-Siberian Orchestra performance at the Wells Fargo Center. Tim, his mom, a friend, Andy, Stephanie, Zach, Kelly and her mom, and Andy and I met at the Event Center for the "orchestra's" performance. Now, I use the term "orchestra" very loosely, because I think of "orchestras" as being a large collection of stringed instruments, mixed with flutes, clarinets and a bunch of fat opera-style singers. Totally not what the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is all about! The show was cut into two parts: the first part being a Christmas story about The Angel accompanied by music, and the second part being wild music set to an outrageous light show.
I have to admit, I get a little boo-hoo'ey over Christmas, and the first part about The Angel's venture teared me up a bit. It was more traditional songs to deliver the Christmas meaning. The second part left me in awe! The orchestra mixed with electric guitars, a few brilliant singers, loud and mean drums, one mean violin player and a whole lotta lights and lasers to create the awesomest thing I've ever seen! There was fire and lasers and music and fireworks and the people played next to us in the audience and there were people singing on raising platforms and people rocking out on pianos and guitars, and it was the craziest collection of musical talent I've ever witnessed!
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is amazing! Check them out (sorry for the icky photos - No Cameras Allowed," and I bet they meant it!): http://www.trans-siberian.com/
That was so awesome!
She might tell me "no" when I ask for a kiss, but I always get a hug good-night, and that sweet little smile! That's all I need!
One of my many purchases from our trip was this "Big Girl Little Chair" for Carter. She loves to climb up on the smaller "grown-up" chairs at the table at the daycare, so I knew she's love her own big girl chair, just her size. And, she had to have the blue ball to match the chair! Duh!
"It's hard work begin a toddler!"
"Let's play catch! Let's enjoy the chair! Let's go play! My red-headed little battery never runs down!"
IKEA = a wonderful home furnishing mega-store with really cool, stylish and innovative ideas for home. The downside of IKEA - the closest one is 3.5 hours away in Minnesota. But the drive isn't bad with Tim and Andy as good company! We left "early" Saturday morning and arrived around noon. We checked out the deals at Room and Board, and then hit IKEA. It was mild chaos, like usual there, but we found lots of goodies! We also went to the mall ("and it sucked!!"), picked up a few items, and went to "Bed, Bath, and Beyond," otherwise known as "Storables." And we ended the trip with a yummy dinner at the Macaroni Grill, served by Paul, the total tool! IKEA is the best!
Andy, enjoying a $540 chair - marked down from $700 - at Room and Board.
Me in the closet system of my dreams at IKEA! I waaant that!
Andy & Tim load up Amy's TV stand in the warehouse area of IKEA. Lift with your legs, boys!
Our car-full of goodies - and the 1/3 backseat I got to ride 3 hours in!
Oh, IKEA, you are wondeful!
What a Cheeser! Ahh ... she gets it honestly, I suppose!
Cheesers x2!
What a bunch of hams!
That smile melts my heart every time!
For sale: Carter's old split level home. Newly purchased: Carter's "dream house," with three windows, an easy to open doorway, and ready to be decorated with her own style! Too bad it's not very sturdy - look out for that Big Bad Wolf!
The new pad ... nice, huh?
It's "cozy," but lacks leg room!
But this one loves it!
Today was a "jeans day" at school (everyone wore their Johnston Pride shirts because our varsity girls are going to the volleyball tourney! Go Dragons!). So this is the first time all week I've needed to wear socks. I haven't broken the seal on my new birthday socks from Andy, so I had to suffer with this sock all day! I did change, and throw away!, socks later in the afternoon!
"For just pennies a day, you can sponsor an adult who is unable to cloth herself with proper sock attire." Look at that hole! Not normal!
Look at all those new socks! It's like heaven!
I finally had a free second this week to test out my birthday gift from Andy: a high-powered, ultra-cool, super-sweet laminator (yes, I am a nerd, but I love it!). I now have laminated passes for school, clean/dirty dishwasher tags, and some really cool graphic organizers that can be reused at school! Totally awesome!
D e l i g h t f u l !
When we were little, Sesame Street was the best! Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Gordan and Maria, love it! The cartoon segments were choppy, the lessons a little pukey, and the whole thing very educational. Now, Sesame Street is a whole production! And the "act two" of the whole thing: the website! www.sesamestreet.com. It's wonderful! It has music, soundbits, and games that Carter loves! What a sophisticated baby!
Carter and I, playing Cookie Check-outs, a sorting and ordering activity
She was memorized! I didn't know she could sit still for this long!
So, it is official: Carter has had an allergic reaction to something and has pinkeye! Double whammy, game over, no fun! But she's been a champ about it, and didn't fuss at all today. Too bad she looks awful!
"I have pinkeye"
"I hate eggs"
"I have to have eye drops and medicine, which I hate. But I'm a good girl, so I take it with a cute smile!"
Wow! What a fun weekend! Grandma & Grandpa came to visit, we made cookies and cheesecake bars for birthdays at school, we cleaned and messed up the house again, we played, we walked, we celebrated Mommy's birthday! Wow!
Life is rough when you're a toddler ...
Carter, Grandma Linda, and I decided to make some cookies today. We made our favorite recipe: PB Dip Cookies! I made the dough last night, and we made balls and baked them today. When everything had cooled, Carter got to "dip" the cookies. Each end gets "dipped" in melted chocolate. I would hand her a cookie, she'd dip one end and then I'd dip the other. Things were moving pretty smoothly, until she began to get bored. She didn't want to wait for me to do my dipping, and would grab her next cookie. I would be left with the task of keeping her safe on the counter top, holding the bowl of chocolate and the dripping, dipped cookie. It became quite the mess, but was actually pretty productive and fun. And our cookies are great!
Miss Messy Face!
The cookie goes into the chocolate, then Mommy puts it on paper to dry
Sometimes Carter needed some help - she thought it all went in the chocolate!
And, of course, occasionally we had to test for quality!
Carter's PB Chocolate Dip Cookies
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
4 pieces of semi-sweet baker's chocolate squares
1. Mix first three ingredients together. Refrigerate overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Form dough into 24 small balls. Place on greased 9x9 cookie sheet (6 x 4), and use a fork to depress a criss-cross in each cookie.
3. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet to wax paper to cool for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, melt chocolate squares in a shallow bowl. When cooled, dip each end of the cookies in the chocolate and let chocolate dry (usualy 3 to 4 hours, depending on thickness of chocolate).
Enjoy!
Love ~ Carter
Saturday evening, we celebrated my favorite holiday: my birthday! My homies and I met at El Rodeo (the one in Clive, sorry Andy and Tim) for Mexican and fun. We proceeded to Miss Kitty's Dance Hall to shake our booties and hang out. It was silly and fun, and I had a blast! I heart birthdays!
Felice Cumplanos! That's Spanish for Happy Birthday, complete with the hat!
Well-wishers Amy & Jon
Birthday Greeters Adam & Heather
Celebratory Friends Tim & Andy
Mackenzie hitting on my husband!
Mackenzie and I
Dr. Zach & Stephanie
What a trooper - Andy hated going out, but came anyway, just for my birthday!
Me & Mackenzie - I love this kid!
Andy and his harem, Stephanie & I
Lovin' me some Andy!
Dictionary.com defines "helping" as the act of a person or thing that lends assistance. I don't know if this is helping!
Carter, lending Daddy some assistance
From moment one, there was one obvious feature that Carter inherited from me: the red hair. But as time progressed, it didn't appear that she made many of my other traits. Since her summer of growing up, she has started and/or displayed some traits that are very Mommy-like. For example: she's totally impatient, loves to eat, and recently loves Old Navy! That's my girl!
Old Navy! Old Navy! I trained her well!
What a wonderful day! My kids at school were good, and they were fun! The ladies I work with made lunch, I got a birthday package from Kelsey, a card from Mom and Dad, and one from Andy, showing me the in-transit laminator that will be my gift, when it arrives. Carter even helped open cards! And, to top it off, we had Cazador for dinner! How spoiled, and lucky, am I?!?
While opening the card, Carter got a bit "stuck"
Carter's newest hair accessory: the fold of the envelop!
Cazador's with my baby and wonderful hubby!
This is how American Idols get their start! Dancing to the radio! So elegant! So graceful!
Dearest Mother,
I do not think it is "cute" or "adorable" when you put these obnoxious things in my hair. I'm already gorgeous - do I really need a polka dotted pink barrette or a butterfly clip?
I would appreciate it greatly if you would refrain from "decorating" my beautiful hair in the future.
Sincerely,
Carter
What can I say? She's a true-and-tried, full-blooded Cheeser!
1 ...
2 ...
3! Peek-a-Baby!
So, I confess: I've had a terrible time getting myself organized and ready to face the world since Andy's return from California, in early October. I can't seem to keep up! My IEP's at school (my paperwork for each kid) is shoddy and inaccurate, my dishwasher and washing machine are always full, and there's baby junk everywhere! I can't seem to get ahead! I know that my house is a disaster, but I didn't think it was condemn-able!
This dandy was taped to our front door, by a suspicious looking Ginger ... City Board of Health my pants ... it's another Amy-Prank! Did you learn nothing from the for sale sign and house full of spiders? Not to mention the video?!?
No, I did not beat him up! However tempting it is, I resist the urge! Andy's feeling better, but swelling since his wisdom teeth removal. This is what he'd look like with about 35 more pounds on him!
After a hard day of being a total trouble maker, Carter was sticky, icky, and just plain grouchy! The best way to cheer this one up: bath time!
Happy baby!
Happy, clean baby!
Fishy baby!
Sweet, trouble-making, wonderful baby!
So we just keep raking and playing!
Zach, Stephanie, and Isaac are the new black of the season! With them being close, it's easier to spend time with them :) Now ... finding the time is a different story ...
Andy, Andy, Carter and I drove to Newton for a delicious dinner, quality time, and games with the Alexander Clan! Steph may be little, but she can cook! Carter and Isaac got to hang out and run a muck! Isaac napped, Carter napped, and we played Trivial Pursuit, which is more a spectator sport for me! We left after schooling Zach (take THAT, Dr. Alexander!), and good times were had by all!
In the event that both Andy and I die, leaving Carter an orphaned minor, this is who will have legal custody! Scary ... I know!
Trouble and Trouble, devising a plan to break out of the pen!
Carter, cowering in fear from the animated Chicken Dance chicken
20th Century Trivial Pursuit ... oh how I hate you!
I love my friends, but I do not love Trivial Pursuit. My pie pieces were sad, and only knew two answers: Mystery Men and Marilyn Manson
I do not heart Trivial Pursuit, but I DO heart pie!
Poor Zach ... no wonder he lost! It was Zach versus Andy, Andy, Kelly and Stephanie! Sadly enough, he almost won!
Stephanie, the Trivial Pursuit Mastermind
Andy is slowly coming back to life and acting more like himself. He wore his ice-pack hat yesterday and is taking pain medication, but is doing well otherwise.
Carter, on the other hand, doesn't know what to think of daddy's new look!
Daddy?
DADDY?!?
It's official: Andy is "wisdom-less." He is without wisdom teeth. All 4 were extracted this morning. The doctor said the extraction went well, and he didn't foresee any problems. He thought Andy would be 100% by Monday. Until then ... he's mumbling things: "window" = to shut the curtain so he can watch TV, "irsty" = thirsty and need water, and various ramblings like that. In the past hour, he's become more alert and with it, and has even started heckling his care taker!
So ... with his wisdom teeth gone ... does that mean Andy is now lacking wisdom???
YEAH! Chalupas.net is back online!
So here's the story (no, no one blew up the computer or anything ... this time!):
Some of our readers (we have readers!) have been commenting on the "lack of speed" that is Chalupas.net. So Andy took the computer that hosts the website apart (listen to me - it's like I know what's going on!) to speed it up. In a box labeled "Cord Box from Hell" is a cable that he needed ... but the box has sprouted legs and walked away! It's a big ol' box ... and it's missing ... it's no where in this house ... and no one knows where it's escaped to ...
So Andy ordered new parts, they're here, things are up and running, and EVERYTHING's UPDATED! YEAH! I "back-dated" some things (because Andy 2 loves that I do that!), so be sure to check back to Friday, October 27th for new adventures!
And look for some new fun "updates" to the website ... coming soon!
Love ~ Andy, Kelly & Carter
This b-log is for all of you who tell me, "Naughty?!" in that fake-honest tone, "Carter's not naughty!" or "Your little girl is too beautiful to cause trouble!"
That's BS.
"Angel Baby" has been dethroned: she will, from now on, be referred to as "Devil Baby" because ...
... tonight ... Devil Baby ...
... pooped in the tub! G R O S S ! Angel Babies wouldn't crap in the tub. Devil Baby.