What a complete cheeser goofball! Carter was on a roll tonight! She likes to wrestle and monkey around, and got her fill of it this evening!
Do not mess with this one ... she is a skilled wrestler!! Or thinks she is!
Where's she get her crazies from?!?
Carter's circle of friends include Emma, Isaac, Grant and Collin, Hannah, Brock and Rachel and Sammy! In fact, Sammy might be at the top of the list - the rest of you suckers aren't furry!!
It's kind of a one-side friendship!
It's the shots! Thursday, Carter had her second hepatitis vaccination, and her second reaction to it. This is more like the goosebumps, but instead of being bumpy, it's a little, light dot. No, it is not Chicken Pox and yes, she can return to daycare. It doesn't upset her - she's a trooper! But she's milking it for all it's worth!
Yeah ... this is what she has! Or something like this ...
We're back to normal today! And into everything! It's like her orneriness is working overtime to make up for yesterday!
The "BUSTED" look!
The "Hey, Mom ... 'sup?" look!
The "What the hell?" look!
You know, it's really beautiful outside. I'm just super-irritated that the "beauty" was wasted on a weekend and not a school day!
The roads were actually pretty good, all things considered. Some of us, who will remain nameless, had cabin fever so badly we ... I mean they ... had to go to Target!
The corner of Snowed-In Road and Sheet-of-Ice Avenue
Our street - notice that it's empty!
Carter still isn't feeling too peachy - the clingyness and cuddliness are give-aways! But I'm loving the hugginess!
Cuddlebums: Andy, Carter and Sammy gettin' better
Forecast: it sucks! It's cold, it's raining and freezing and NOW it's snowing! Is this the Apocalypse?!?
A view from the door, cause I ain't going outside!!!
Everything has about an inch and a half of ice on it, and now it's snowing sideways!
... and I've got cabin-fever so bad I can almost rationalize a trip to Target!
Carter received some good and bad news Thursday. The good news is that she has only 1 more tooth to come in and she's done! Woo hoo! And, she doesn't get another shot until she's 5! But, speaking of shots, the bad news was that she got one. And, like always, it made her feel terrible today. She ran a fever of 100.3 around 3pm. I picked her up and we came home to no power - fun! It came on shortly, we took some Tylenol, and life was good!
So, since she was not in the mood for photos, you'll all have to live with this:
BLAH! While my family and friends were hanging out, enjoying pizza, Survivor and one another's company, I was alone at conferences. I met with three parents between the hours of 1:00 and 8:45. No fun!
But, I did prepare this game. Tribond: A Game of Inferencing, which takes some pre-made and home-made items, making players find the "bond" between them. Like: airline, palm and fighter. They're all pilots! My kids loved it! And did a fantastic job of inferencing, which is one of our building goal! Go me!
Ohhh! Marvel at my technology!
That's right! I do rock!
They like me! They really like me!!
Andy and Carter, along with Andy, Amy & Jon, enjoyed the delightfulness known as Survivor with Kelly and Sean. No fair - some of us had to work all day! Conferences!!
Carter was more interested in beads than Survivor
Andy attempts a "group" photo!
That's better, Daddy!
For those of you who repeatedly tell me, "Oh, she's great for me!" here ya go. Carter has MBS - Mad Baby Syndrome!
Hey ... at least it's not a tantrum!
Sometimes, you just have to have those serious conversations ... even if they are with a cow ...
"Listen, Moo, this is how it is ..."
Comments include:
"Dances so cute!" "Good at throwing a ball. " "Loves the markers!"
Understands her own name <yes checked> "Especially when she is trying to get a pacifier out of a crib - she pulls her hand out fast and then looks so innocent!"
"She 'helps' us" "Enjoys others as long as they don't crowd her space." "Definitely becomes possessive, of items and people!"
"Carter is definitely an indepent girl! She is so much fun to play with - laughs a lot. She is smart - watches how things are done and then tries to do it herself. She is a good girl and a sweetheart! I have enjoyed her!" Illa, our awesome infant room teacher.
Today she played well in the toddler room ... yesterday she bite Brock because he tried to take her book away!
Carter and Andy were playing silly this morning! What a hoot!
Group hug!
Wednesday was Mackenzie's X birthday. A lady never tells her age, and I'm slightly fearful of Mackenzie, so you can do the math!
We celebrated this evening by friends, food, and fun! We all met up at Famous Dave's for drinks and BBQ, then proceeded to Miss Kitty's for some two-steppin' good times!
We hope you had a wonderful birthday, Kenz! We love ya a ton!!!
The Reign of the Birthday Princess! Yes .. that's our Birthday Girl .. up on the chairs!
My awesome, rowdy, loving, crazy girls! I love these two!
Kevin & Kelsey get their groove on!
And to top it all off, Kenz snagged a free hat! Dork!
Kelsey, Kenz, Andy, Kelly & Rory having a blast!
We needed to get a couple things at Target today. Apparently shopping takes it toll quickly!
It's a good thing we bought a new pillow!
It snowed another 18 feet this afternoon, so Carter and I tested out our new sled! So fun!
Running to go outside!
Carter really likes to eat the snow! Really likes it!
She laid on the saucer-sled and I spun her in circles. She giggled, fell off, rolled around in the snow, and got back on. And of course, she ate snow!
Since we received Isaac & Shalene's package on Wednesday, Carter has carried around this little red pillow that says, "Love Me?"
Like it's even an option to not love this one!
Ready to Roll!
As if Valentine's weren't special enough, there was another surprise waiting on the stoop for us this afternoon!
The mysterious, unexpected box was mailed to Carter, from Isaac, but it had a Knoxville return address. Who could it be from???
It was from our Fans from Afar, Grandma Shalene Massick and good pal Isaac!
"Ohhh ... what's in the bag ..."
Carter is a lucky lady. She received two soft and fuzzy (she's such a textile, kinesthetic kid!) pillows, some really cool books and a little bag ... stocked with chocolate!
She might be sharing that :)
Thanks, guys! What an awesome surprise!!
Dear Mother Nature:
I am no longer fond of the snow. I know, in years past, I have vigilantly asked for snow for my birthday and Christmas, but I've really had enough. We get it.
What happened to that "Global Warming?" It doesn't feel so "warm" now! And a lack of cold conditions? I think not.
No more snow. End of discussion.
Lovingly yours,
Kelly, pathological shoveling-hater
I checked the weather at www.kcci.com: we literally got 73.5 inches of snow today.
I'm done.
This evening, Andy, Carter, Andy and I went to dinner at Chip's restaurant. Love it!
Carter *patiently* waits for dinner ... since when does Carter patiently do anything?!?
Gingers galore! Andy and Carter having a ball!
Andy has been giving me a clue a day for my Valentine's gift! It's been driving me crazy!! This is what I got, in the order clues were given:
1. It was ordered online.
2. Andy got one and I got one.
3. They could be used independently, or to together, and would be equally fun either way.
4. It's not for Carter, or for Carter's use.
5. I've asked for it.
6. I can't use it until the Wednesday of my spring break.
Clue #7 was hand-delivered by Miss Carter. It was a printed layout of a building with a balcony.
Now, by this time, I'd been getting clues for days. I'm not dumb, I did my research! By this point, I knew it was a concert. My mind whirled: Andy would NEVER readily volunteer to take me to the Kenny Chesney concert (and he knows I wouldn't go without Kelsey and Mackenzie), and the only Aerosmith concert dates were in Europe (romantic, but not gonna happen!). I was clueless! So, we moved on to yes or no questions:
8. Do I need to dress up? Yes
9. Can I wear what I wore to The Phantom of the Opera? Yes
10. Is it it in Minnesota? No
11. Is it in ... St. Louis ... Missouri (at this point I was totally lost) No
12. Is it in ... and then it hit me ... Chicago? Yes
13. HAVE DAN AND TJ BEEN THERE?!! Yes
14. IS IT WICKED TICKETS?!! Yes
I am officially "that woman," who's husband has set the Valentine's Day gift so high! Andy, totally on his own accord, came up with the idea to order tickets to Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, and book a hotel for the night in Chicago! How sweet!!! I wanted to go to this show for xo long, but dropped it because I knew it'd never happen!
What a wonderful surprise!!!
And all I got him was a crappy flood light and some Jelly Belly's!
AHHH! I can not wait!!!
Andy's gift, with an audience!
"Here! I'll help, Daddy!"
"Argh! This ribbon is so long!"
Yesterday, the twins turned the big 1! So big! So during our home-tour, we spent the afternoon with them. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch (yummy!), and then returned to the Bumsted home for presents and play time! We love these boys - and their parents! - but unfortunately we don't get to see near enough of them!
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, BOYS! Enjoy toddler-hood!
Big Brother Grant!
And cutie Collin, the "little" brother!
Not only did Carter get to hang out with her good friends, she also got to meet Copper, the big and cuddly bulldog! He was a little too big for her puppy-liking!
Carter and Grant spent some quality time lounging on the couch ...
... but she wasn't too keen on sharing unopened sidewalk chalk with Collin (what a silly thing to take such a spoiled only-child stance on!). She loves you, Colley, I promise!
The boys, with Mama's help, open our gift. what could it be ...
Open it already! What is it?!?
What a couple of rolley, polley cutie-pies!
The Gang!
Carter (18 month), Grant & Collin (12 months)
We were so happy to have Andy, Kelly and Carter here for an overnighter Thurs. nite! Carter was so SWEET and apparently hadn't forgotten any of the things that have made her curious the last several times she has been here. Here are a few of them!
Our other "baby," ready for bed!
Our big, fur-baby!
While visiting Gramma & Poppy's this weekend, Carter finally achieved what she's been trying to do for month: she got into the cats' water dish! And it was delightful!
"What? I'm in the water dish ... and no one's telling me no??? How unexciting is that?!?"
Yes, it is cold outside, and we all should be wearing hats, gloves and scarves. But, the hat should fit appropriately, Eddie!
I painted my toe-nails - pretty red - and Carter was in awe. So of course I painted hers, too. Duh! It was a long, trying process, but they're totoally coute!
Cute little gingers with cute little toes!
Note: We only got 8 of her 10 little piggy's painted!
But they're adorable!
Amy and Jonathon babysat for our Wild Child! They say she's always great ... I guess she's only a beast for us!
Showing off ball-pit skills!
Jonathon & Carter making sweet music
Sooooo tired!
Tired Punky!
A couple of years ago, Andy took me to see Cats at the Civic Center. It's been my favorite show ... until this evening. I love the Phantom of the Opera! And how lucky am I to get to go with the escort of three stunning men?!
Amy and Jonathon babysat Carter while Andy, Tim, Andy and I went to dinner at Judge Roy Brown's (or Judge Joe Brown's!). Then, off to the Civic Center for the best show ever. We were about five rows back from the stage (when we saw Jerry Seinfeld, we were literally in the final row of the theater! So, this was a nice change!). The bummer was the gaggle of goober-children behind us. They had a comment for everything. When I do it, it's funny, because my comments are good. These pukey kids were just annoying. So much that my husband turned to tell them to shhh! You know it's bad when he's annoyed!
Otherwise, it was flawless. I got goosebumps at three moments and nearly cried at the end. It's wonderful and the music gives me the willies!
Go see it!
This is all you get from the show - they would take my camera, delete all of my photos, and throw me in jail if I took photos! Sorry!
WOW! There's not much more to say than that!
HOLY morning hair!
HOLY afternoon hair! Do you think it's staticy at home?!?
Stephanie had mentioned getting together for a play date, so we arranged a fun, last-minute Play Place trip! We met Zach, Stephanie and Isaac at McDonald's to play. There was a birthday party, and it was super-busy. These two moochers! They snack over to the party area and played super-cute .. and the parents gave each of them a balloon and cake and ice cream! Schmoozers! But, really, how could you resist?!?
Then we returned home for fun and food! Andy and I made a delicious supper (the peas and carrots were a little scary, but all else was great!) and then played Wii and DVD games all night! I love game night and our rad friends and babies!
Who needs Play Place when you've got the turtle?!? Isaac and Carter both had a ball in the balls! It took some figuring out on their parts to get both of them in it, but they did and they had a great time! Carter even did a decent job of sharing!
Dinner: "Teddy Pizza's" for the babies, and Lady Bug appitizers, Orange-glazed Peas & Carrots, Onion & Chive Mashed Potatoes & Roast for the adults! YUM!
Andy, Andy & Rory, Andy's - and our - new friend.
* * We apologize greatly if Andy's forewarning didn't give you enough advanced notice of all our crazy's! * *
Andy & Tim
Andy & Kelly
Isaac & Carter - I like to think she's not going to push or swat at him ... but I don't know for sure!
Stephanie & Tim ... now known as "Mmy!"
YEAH impromptu Game Night!
Uncle Kevin & Aunt Katie got the girls matching tool benches for Christmas. It's for 2+ years, so we kept it boxed until today. She loves it! Maybe it will teach her to measure accurately ... unlike her mother!
I said something about how Carter gets so frustrated the moment she can't do things, and Andy's response: "Gee ... I wonder who she gets that from?!"
She enjoys hanging the tools when done playing (weird - Uncle Kevin, who gave her this gift, used to put toys away while Corey & Andy were still playing with them!), and pounding on the nails!
Carter's cutting yet another horrid tooth. She's got a red monkey-butt and a grouch-@ss attitude! I'd leave her at the daycare if they'd keep her ... and if I didn't love her.
To make it better, and because I adore them both, I picked up a "special treat" when I was coming home from Menard's today (with another load of home renovation stuff!).
"Oh, chocolate frosty! How you soothe my aching gums!"
Daddy even got a bit ... maybe two ...
I received a cute, cute email from Stephanie, mama to Isaac, Alexander. Isaac is a pal of Carter's (The puppy dog at Halloween? The partner in crime at Chuck E Cheese? The Santa to her Angel? That Isaac!). It was titled "Isaac's Pornography," and I nearly fell off my chair while reading it:
So, one of my mother's favorite activities with Isaac is to sit down at the computer, fire up www.chalupas.net and say, "Come here, Isaac. Do you want to see Carter?" And then he scoots quickly over to sit on her lap and look at all of the Carter pictures and movies on the screen. My mother calls it his version of Internet porn. That's either really cute ... or a little creepy. :) Regardless, Isaac definitely seems to recognize Carter's pictures, because he makes these happy little coos and squeaks when he sees her.
How cute it that?!? So, Carter and I made a special greeting for our special web-visitors!
"See ya Saturday, Isaac! We'll run mad at the Play Place!"
