Tinsel Icicles...

My Mom was convinced that the one thing her tree was missing this year was tinsel icicles. Which took me back to all those Christmases hearing, "Not in clumps. NOT IN CLUMPS. One at a time. ONE AT A TIME!!"

So, of course I wanted to make sure Abbie and Lila had a chance to get in on the action. The day those icicles arrived at Mom's, we were on our way to teach the girls proper icicle administration.


They did a great job and looked really cute doing it!!


Just another day Being Billingsley...

Well, it was no crying baby picture...

I had to settle for mildly concerned baby instead, but it's still pretty cute. I also like how I can always rely on Abbie to bring her "A-game" smile.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

The Fat Guy 2010

Well, today's the big day! We are going to see Santa tonight.

I could hardly sleep last night thinking about it. I've always wanted that scared-of-Santa shot, and I'm really hoping this will be my year!

Now, this is what a photo with Santa should look like...

I thought last year would be the one, but instead I got happy girls, looking cute, chatting Santa up about Christmas gifts. Not an ounce of terror.

If you have an excellent scared-of-Santa photo, feel free to email me a copy. I love nothing more, and I have seen some FANTASTIC ones this year. Keep 'em coming!

Here's hoping this will be my year!

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Jingle Bell Run 2010

Abbie's school had their annual Jingle Bell Run today. It's a 1 mile run for the kindergarten and 1st grade classes. Parents were encouraged to come and participate. So, of course, I brought candy and Lila & I sat in the stands and watched everyone run.

Just before the race, Abs identified her running buddy. She explained to me that it's best to have a buddy because it really "pushes you to run harder." Here she is with her fellow Olympian-in-training...

They stretched as a group and then they were off-and-running...

These kids were so fast, Lila and I almost didn't have time to finish our Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Before we knew it, Abbie "The Blur" Billingsley was rounding the final turn blazing her way to the finish line...

I know what you're thinking... and the answer is absolutely YES. She gets her superlative athletic skills from me. Just look at that stride, the high knees, the straight posture, and the fact that she reduced the boy in front of her to throwing himself at the finish line in pure exhaustion. His fear of being beat by a girl kept him going for a mile, but he couldn't have lasted much longer. Abbie, on the other hand, was just getting warmed up.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

P.S. In case you were wondering, Lila and I did achieve a personal best today for most Reese's consumed in a 15 minute stretch. Those pb cups don't unwrap themselves people.

And the winner is...

Abbie! She was selected from ALL of the students in her school to receive an award for displaying exemplary character.

That's right folks... She's beautiful, smart, and kind!

I'm hoping that her award will come with some kind of a check for the parents who have obviously raised her so perfectly.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Somebody Likes Spaghetti Sauce!

My Texas Girl

Abbie had a special event today at school, and I decided I would go a little early and join her for lunch.

We've been planning it for weeks, and Abbie told me several times what it was I should wear and how important it was that I wear my hair "long" because a ponytail is "not my best look." I did my best to comply with her requests.

She originally wanted to "buy" lunch for me at school. I checked out the menu this morning, and had to break it to her that Mommy was NOT going to be eating fish sticks or cheese pizza cut into squares. So, I told her that I would be bringing lunch for the both of us.

There were other parents at the lunch who apparently couldn't bring themselves to dine on the fish sticks and ketchup combo either. So, they were toting in the standard special lunch treats. There were Sonic corn dogs proudly displaying their grease content through the paper bags, McDonald's happy meals, and chicken nuggets for days. But, what did MY girl get...

That's right folks! Abbie got herself a big ol' BBQ plate complete with BBQ sauce and lemonade from Smokey Mo's. She kept telling her friends, "Do you even know what this is!! This is fried okra and tater salad!!!"

I can't wait to get this kid on the baby back ribs and sweet tea. Seriously, she has to be the coolest five-year-old out there!

Just another day livin' it up in Texas and Being Billingsley...

The Search Is Over!!

Rob sent me this video, and thanks to him, James' search for a Halloween costume is officially over. He's going as this guy. Enjoy...



Just another day with additional flourishes Being Billingsley...

Hail to the Chief

I watched The Situation Room on CNN today, and I'm making a prediction here people...

I feel pretty confident that my friend and yours, Mr. Donald Trump, is posturing himself for a bid for the presidency.

He clearly had a committee of previous The Apprentice winners researching everything from Chinese trade to the failures of the Panama Canal.

That windbag went on and on and on about how the presidents of our history have been huge failures with the exception of a few years there in the 80's.. I think we can all guess who the saint was that ran that administration. That one will forever get a pass from President Bad Hair's criticism.

The fact that he has never been invited on Dancing with the Stars is just too much for him. He can't take it anymore, and he's going to command the attention he deserves by becoming president.

Guess it won't be the first or the last time a chubby rich white guy wants to run in and save us all from ourselves by running for office. Nothing new there, but it will be exciting to see what he's married to at that time. By then, I think his current wife will be firmly in her 30's and it will be time for a trade.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Dancing with the Stars - The Judge is BACK!

Well, Abbie took her "Dancing with the Stars" judging to a whole new level this season.

She created for herself a judging form with the names of each of the dancers. Then, next to each contestant she wrote her comments. This kid is excellent.

A few of her thoughts, and remember, these are direct quotes...

• Kyle Massey: "Delightful, but I'm unimpressed."
• Michael Bolton: "He looks like an old grandpa bird."
• The Situation: "Mom, you're not serious. His name isn't 'The Situation.' Well that's the dumbest thing I've heard except for maybe his hair. I hate it.
• David "The Wasted" Hasselhoff: "This is disturbing." Ewwww is what came to mind for me.
  
• Bristol Palin: "How do you spell 'OFF'? Horrible."

Well, there you have it folks. As for the winning pick, Abbie said she would have picked Jennifer Grey except she made a poor decision when it came to her dress...."I really wish she hadn't bought that dress." So, we'll just have to wait until next week to see if there is a standout.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

The Intimidator

So, a little word of advice...If Abbie ever asks you what you are afraid of, you should lie.

She will arm herself with your little confession, and trust me, she will use it to intimidate you at just the right time. Proof??

Exhibit A:
She once got out of me my insane fear of sharks. I'll just say that Shark Week was pure hell at Chez Billingsley once Abbie discovered it was on the tube.

Exhibit B:
Through some impressive research, she has learned that her Gigi is afraid of snakes. So, she will routinely pretend to be a snake and then mock my Mother for her fear. She's requested a couple of stuffed snakes to have at the house... I think we can all guess why. And the crowning moment in her cruelty...check out the cake she made for my Mother's birthday:


Just another day livin' with The Intimidator and Being Billingsley...

A Brush with Greatness

Well guess who we had dinner with last night? I'll give you a couple of clues...

• He had 7 career no hitters
• Played in 27 MLB seasons
• One of the best-know pitchers of our time

Mr. Nolan Ryan!!!!!!!!!!
(Or as he calls himself, "Nolan Riiiine")

Sidebar...

Anyone who knows me is aware of my strong stance against baseball, but it wasn't always that way. I used to love it!

However, the MLB Strike of 1994 officially ended that love affair with America's past-time. I can still get fired up when I think about it, so let's not spend anymore time on it.

...sidebar over.

OK, so maybe we didn't break bread together but we saw him at the restaurant. Of course, my husband chatted him up, and the man really is a saint. He was extraordinarily nice and looks only slightly changed since I last saw him on the mound in Arlington.

I think the capper for the evening was when my dear sweet Abigail said to the man, "Bonsoir" and walked away... I guess she wasn't as impressed as James and I were.

I wonder if Nolan went home and blogged about HIS brush with greatness? After all, he got to witness... Just another day Being Billingsley!

Look who's fabulous!!!

We recently had Lila's one year portrait done by our favorite portrait artist!

Lynyia also did Lila's very first photo shoot, and she has done ALL of Abbie's portraits.
She's pretty amazing!!

Here are just a few of our favorites...

Just another day Being Billingsley...

What this week has taught me...

As a parent, I have learned that I really must love EVERY SINGLE MOMENT of raising my children. Even the most overwhelming & frustrating moments when...

• she throws herself to the floor to commit with a full heart to an Oscar winning performance of "Small Child Big Fit."
• she throws her dinner on the floor, wall, ceiling and me because she's finished with her meal and can think of no other way to communicate that.
• she pours her milk on the carpet to see how it will "smell."
• she spits carrots/spinach/green beans/anything that stains all of the front of her shirt and mine.

All of this because, in the blink of an eye, my...


Turned into...


And, before I know it, she will only come home on weekends to do her laundry and connect with her old friends from high school.

She is growing up so fast, and I love her so much!

Just another day in the first week of school trying not to cry and Being Billingsley...

Well, it was a huge success!

Abbie had a great time her first day of school. She learned a lot of useful things...

1. "When you draw a person, you should make sure he has a neck."
2. "It is probably better if I don't get married in Kindergarten and wait 'til college."
3. "My teacher has a baby boy. He should meet my little sister."
4. "If you eat a cupcake at school for a friends birthday, you shouldn't come home and eat one." (A lesson I don't understand at all, and who is teaching her this crap! I plan to write a strongly worded letter.)
5. "The playground is STUPID hot, and I really mean STUPID. It's not smart!"

She had a great time, and it was fun to listen to her little pearls of wisdom all night long.

She's still having trouble understanding she cannot maintain her sorority house schedule now that she's a school girl. At Chez Billingsley, our kids have always had relatively late bedtimes (9:00-10:00P) because we liked our kiddos to sleep in late (8:30-9:00A...sometimes later).

So, she thinks we can keep that up, but she's learning 6:00 comes very early each morning. Other than that, she's doing great!

Thank you to all of my wonderful friend who called and checked in with me all day. I am so proud to call you all my friends! I'm gonna make it through this!

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Well, today is the big day!

We took Abs to school bright and early, and as you can see, Abbie just did not want to go. Doesn't she look sad here?

She walked right in despite the fact that the weight of her backpack nearly caused her to fall backwards...

She sat right down and got to work on her morning project. James and I giggled because she is at a table FULL of boys. I can't wait to hear the stories that were told at that table today!


I cannot believe my baby is now big enough to go to school. I remember taking her to her first day of Mother's Day Out like it was yesterday...

First Day of the 2's Class!

First Day of 3's Class!

First Day of pre-K!

AND, OUR FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!

I am so proud of you Abbie, and I know you will do great today! I hope you will always know that it's your Dad's fault you are at school. I just wanted to keep you here with me always. There's no need for book learnin' as far as I'm concerned.

Just another day rulin' the school and Being Billingsley...

Wonderland a.k.a. Dallas!

Abbie and I took a trip this weekend to visit very good friends and to celebrate her last weekend as a preschooler! We had a phenomenal time with Cheryl and little M!

We journeyed to the Alice in Wonderland Adventure at a resort in the big D. This place was ridiculous! There were stations all over the atrium that illustrated a section of the story with a piece of artwork created by artists from all over the world.

My favorite was the Gryphon. It was made of balloons! Can you see how big this thing is? Look at the people in the upper left corner to get an idea.

Also very cool, was the caterpillar perched on the mushrooms. The artist created this with "chainsaw and styrofoam." Also huge! Look how convincingly wasted the little insect looks!


Check out this stack of tea cups and tea pots along with the little girl who was doing her best impression of an unimpressed model.

In addition to the crazy displays, many of the characters were wondering around the premises. We met...

The Queen of Hearts who made the girls curtsy for this picture. They were also required to say "Your Majesty."


The hookah smoking Caterpillar.


The Mad Hatter. I feel pretty sure this guy really was nuts! And, notice the Cheshire Cat is in the background!


And then, there's this GIANT flower. He was on stilts and seemed to be about 10 feet tall. He was my favorite, and probably because he made the kids very nervous.

M did not go near him, and Abs was very cautious. I, on the other hand, was very brave. I shook his hand and everything. He was a creepy thing. Check out that close-up!


What a wonderful weekend we had! Thanks Cheryl and M for being such perfect hostesses. Go ahead and pencil us in for the 2 million pounds of sculpted ice adventure in the winter! I can't wait!

Just another day in Wonderland and Being Billingsley...

Abbie and Pops going to meet the Kindergarten teacher at Open House...

Just another incredibly cute day Being Billingsley...

The Tooth Fairy Visits Again

Abbie lost another tooth this week. She was so brave.

I, on the other hand, had to hide behind a closed door in the other room while it was pulled from her mouth. This is what I saw when I got the courage to come and see for myself...

I love her sweet new smile!

And while we are on the subject of how cute my daughter is, I need some help from you Mom's who have some experience with back-to-school...

This gorgeous kid starts kindergarten next week, and I am a nervous wreck. I have just a couple questions for you:

1. Is it frowned upon to hide in the bushes and peer into her classroom window all day just to make sure she is having a good day?

2. Is it embarrassing for a five-year-old to have Mom come to lunch EVERYDAY for the first year?

3. Is it considered a threat if I tell her teacher that I will always have my eye on her?

I sure do hope I survive Monday, and don't be surprised if you get a phone call from me filled with sobbing!

Just another day Being Billingsley...

She's a Year!

She's officially 1! What a wonderful year it has been. A few things I've learned...

• You can do a whole lot of work to get a baby to come out of you, but it doesn't mean that she will like you even close to as much as she loves her Daddy. Extremely unfair.... especially since I'm the one who will have to rock stretchmarks and a swimsuit with a skirt the rest of my life.
• Babies actually CAN be born mean. She's a feisty one and always has been!
• We will be investing in pre-paid legal services. Lila thinks the word "No" is simply a suggestion.
• Thinking it's hilarious when other people fall down/get hurt must be hereditary because Lila enjoys it almost as much as I do.
• Some one-year-olds will eat their weight in pulled pork. I have a feeling we have a future competitive eater on our hands.

Lila, in the last month, you have amazed us with lots of cool new developments...

• Tooth #6 has emerged! You've got quite the toothy grin!
• You attended your first 4th of July parade. You were generally irritated and HOT. Check out the sweet hair... I intend to use this picture in your high school yearbook.
  

• The fireworks show later that night was a huge hit. Something about explosives really held your attention.
• On July 13th, you had your first frosty sippy of milk. You were a fan!
• You've got a ridiculous vocabulary for your age. Your Dad and I calculated 12 words that you are using regularly. Your pediatrician didn't believe us until you told him "Thank You" and pointed out the "lights" in his office. (I can only imagine the words that will come out of your mouth in the future when someone doesn't believe you...)
  
• You wave when you say "Hiiiiiii" and "Byyyyyye."
• And, you have officially started walking. When you fall down. You laugh. You're a strange child, but I'm glad you are laughing with me.
• You had your first birthday party. Your favorite part was the frosting!

• You weigh in at a healthy 19 lbs 6 oz, and are 28 1/2" long.

Lila, you are a joy! I can't wait for you to wake up in the morning because you make it a beautiful day. I'm so thankful for the honor of being your Mommy.

Now, let's go see what kind of trouble we can get into...

Just another day Being Billingsley...

One Year Lila Hope Style

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL GIRL!

Just another day lovin' Being Billingsley...