Steve, Alison and I have been coughing for a couple of weeks. We all feel pretty good, just have this cough. I knew mine was allergy/sinus problems. We've had Alison in the doctor's office a couple of times and the doctor told us it was allergy related. Steve went to the doctor' [...]
Alison has trouble saying her L's. She uses a W sound instead of an L sound. We were trying to teach her to say L's one day.
Me: Alison say, la la la
Alison: la la la
Me: la la la... lemonade
Alison: la la la... wemonade
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I got my nightly call' [...]
Alison brought her Cinderella book to me and showed me the page that Cinderella realizes it is almost midnight! Alison told me, "Mommy, Cinderella is afraid of the grandfather clock cuz it's really, really loud!"
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Alison learned about fire safety in school a couple of weeks ago. She came home and [...]
Alison had two Halloween costumes this year. The first I bought at a garage sale this summer for only a dollar. She is sooooo in to Blue's Clues that I just knew she would want to be Blue for Halloween. When I saw the Blue costume for a dollar, I [...]
Steve took Alison to Daddy Daughter Date Night at Chick-Fil-A last week. When he told me he was going I didn't think it was any big deal. I was sitting at work when Steve started sending me photos from his phone. Turns out it's like a semi-formal kinda thing!! I couldn't believe [...]
I got home from work yesterday and there was a package waiting for Alison and a card waiting for me. When we see packages on the porch we assume they are from grandma but this one was from my brother, Jake!
I opened up my unexpected card and found out that at [...]
It's fire safety week at preschool. Alison came home the first day with all kinds of fun stuff!
Yep, she put the hat on herself!
Alison told us they learned how to dial 911. And the best part was that they got to put out a pretend fire in [...]
Last week we went to a band competition in Greenville, TN to watch the Farragut High School Band march. We walked into the stadium area and there were lots of tents set up selling food and band memorabilia. Alison saw all the tents and turned to me and said, "Mommy," [...]
Alison and I went to Kohl's over the weekend. I got Alison out of her car seat and she jumped from the van onto the pavement. I grabbed her arm so she wouldn't bolt into the street.
Me: Now stay right there while I get my purse. Don't move! We don't' [...]
As many of you know, Alison is a big fan of Dancing with the Stars. Part of Alison's homework every week is to think of words that start with the letter they are studying that week. Then we have to find a photo and print it for school. The kids make [...]
Here's some funny things Alison has said in the last couple of weeks...
Steve was practicing his tuba one day. Alison walked in and said, "Daddy, that hurts my ears!"
Alison: Mommy, don't go to work!
Me: I have to go to work to make money.
Alison: Right, so you' [...]
Blue
Week two of Show and Tell. Alison is a huge Blue's Clues fan so naturally she took her friend Blue to school. Her imaginary friends Magenta and Green puppy went also but she told me she didn't tell anyone since they don't start with letter B!! I guess they just [...]
We never found out if Alison had swine flu but guess what we did find out during those doctor visits? She finally hit 30lbs!!!! She has weighed 26lbs since her two-year-old doctor visit! She is almost four now! We celebrated with a bowl of ice cream! Now Alison gets on my scale [...]
OK, I'm back to blogging today! It's been a while, I know. Alison and I were out sick for a week, then I spent the next two weeks playing catch up. I have, however, been keeping a list of blog ideas over the last three weeks! So now I'm sitting here [...]
Apron
Show and Tell started today! Each week the children have to bring something for Show and Tell that begins with the letter they are studying. This week is A! Alison took the apron that Grandma Stephanie sent a few weeks ago!
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I had a cold over the weekend. I spent most of Sunday laying on the couch trying to recover. Alison seems to know when I don't feel good and she's great at keeping herself entertained. I am thankful for that! We have a spare bedroom downstairs that has become a' [...]
Alison had to get a flu shot this morning. Oh, what fun it is to convince a 3-year-old that she needs a shot!
Me: Alison, we have to go to the doctor today and get you a shot so you won't get sick.
Alison: But I don't need a shot!
Me: Well, we [...]
We're huge Sooner fans! Really, we are!!! But we still enjoy a Tennessee tailgate! What's wrong with that? So this week we put on our tailgate clothes... which by the way contains very little orange. Alison wore her pink Vol shirt! After having a yummy tailgate breakfast with our Tennessee' [...]
We had an unusual Labor Day. As many of you know, it hasn't been a typical Summer for Knoxville. We've had lots of rain and low temperatures for the last couple of months. We got in a few great swimming days... enough for Alison to learn to swim like a [...]
I forgot I had this video! I still can't believe she got so good at swimming this summer! This is Maddison teaching Alison to dive!
' [...]This was our conversation at the dinner table last night. I have to give a big thumbs up to Blue's Clues for this one!
Steve: Alison, tell mommy what you learned on Blue's Clues today!
Alison: Dinosaurs! They are a stink!
Me: (trying not to laugh) They are extinct! Wow!
Alison: [...]
Alison brought home her very first homework yesterday!
Since Steve picked her up from school yesterday they stopped at Ingles on the way home to buy her very own scissors! Alison showed them to me and said, "I picked them out, mommy! They are just my size!"
[...]
I walked into the preschool building yesterday to pick up Alison. No one was in her classroom so I went out the back door to the playground. The kids were lining up to go back inside. One of Alison's teachers saw me and let Alison run ahead to walk back inside with me. [...]
We decided at the last minute that we would send Alison to preschool four days a week this year. Why, you ask? Well, I went to a parent meeting and saw the new curriculum. It turns out that Music and Personal Safety is being offered only on the two days she [...]
Preschool has begun for the Fall semester!
Alison woke up this morning and yelled from her room...
Alison: Mommy, you waked me up. You too loud!
Me: Do you want to go to school today?'
Alison: YYEEESSSSSSS!!!!
Later when she was waiting on me to finish getting ready she says...
I didn't realize how long Alison's hair really was until I had it cut!
Before
After
Doesn't she look cute!!!
[...]
Alison starts preschool in two days! My mom sent her a new lunch box and backpack!
That got me thinking that I better get to the store and get some stuff for Alison's lunches! Then I remembered a recent blog entry from News Sentinel Food Editor, [...]
When preschool got out for summer I was worried Alison would be upset that she didn't get to go to school three days a week. In an effort to divert tears, I told her it was Summer and that means we get to swim instead of go to school! That worked great' [...]
It's raining... again! I don't think I've ever seen it rain so much in the twelve years we've lived in Knoxville. I'm over it! Two summer's ago we had a drought in Knoxville. We may have mowed the lawn five or six times the entire summer. And by the end [...]
One day last week as I was walking across the News Sentinel parking lot to my car, I pulled out my phone and checked my facebook. Two of my facebook friends had left posts that they were baking cookies or cupcakes with their little girls. I thought to myself that [...]
My mom sends packages to Alison pretty regularly. She got one last week. As soon as I showed Alison the package she started singing the Mail Song from Blue's Clues. That prompted me to grab my camera and take some video of Alison opening her package. She was very animated [...]
Alison got to bring home a couple of tomatoes from the garden on Sunday. She's very proud of them! On Monday she started crying when she didn't see them on the kitchen counter. She thought I had eaten them! I assured her I did not eat her tomatoes and showed' [...]
A few people have asked to see video of Alison swimming. She's getting better every time we go to the pool!! Here's a couple of videos! The sound isn't in sync with the video... sorry, best I could do!
' [...]
My grandparents have a Fifth Wheel Travel Trailer they pull to North Carolina every summer. We went to the park to visit them over the weekend. Alison walked up to their trailer; looked at her great grandparents and said, "Why do you have a bus?"
Grandma and Grandpa got a good [...]
Alison has been looking for our hummingbirds all summer. We heard Wednesday evening that a few were hanging out in our neighborhood. We mixed up some sugar water and put out our hummingbird feeder! Hopefully they will find our house soon!
Alison loves to help with anything in [...]
I got a phone call from Alison at work...
Me: Hello
Alison: Mommy, Dayday mowed my hair!
Me: She what!!!
Alison: Dayday mowed my hair!
Me: Let me talk to daddy!
Steve: (laughing) Dayday straightened Alison's hair tonight.
Alison came to work with me for a retirement party last week. One of my co-workers was making some polite conversation [...]
We took Alison to get her hair cut a couple of weeks ago. We decided to try some bangs on her.
She goes around telling people, "I got bangs! Now I look pretty like mommy!" hmmm... I wonder how long I've got before it isn't cool to [...]
My grandparents came to visit us on Sunday. I think it's a real treat for kids to have great grandparents! I know I always felt special and lucky to have my great grandma in my life.
Alison had a great time playing with them!
Alison got all [...]
Alison started drawing lines and circles a while back. Until last night I had no idea she could put them together! We went to a restaurant that has paper tablecloths for drawing. I love these! They keep kids busy coloring for a long time!! The problem is when you go [...]
If you didn't know already, Steve and I grew up in Oklahoma... ya know... "where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain..." Well, it's true, the wind really does come sweepin' down the plain... ALL THE TIME!!! We joke that a 20mph wind is a normal day in Oklahoma!
When we' [...]
My mom use to teach swimming lessons in our pool when I was growing up. I remember her telling people that you can't teach your own kid to swim. Well, despite knowing this, I've spent a few days in the pool trying to teach Alison to swim. Alison has never been afraid [...]
Here are some funny things Alison has said recently...
I got a new cell phone. It's the new LG Lotus phone. It's shiny and purple and Alison really likes it!
Alison: Mommy, that's my phone.
Me: No, that's my phone.
Alison: It's mine cuz it's pretty and little like me!
Me: This is MY phone, [...]
Twelve years ago today my little family arrived in Knoxville, TN. It was a long two day drive from Oklahoma, especially in our Ford Escort Station Wagon with our three large dogs. Most of our belongings were packed in a horse trailer covered with a tarp and was being pulled by family members. The trip was [...]
Here's 10 things that make my life easier with a three-year-old! I'm sure this list will change drastically every year as Alison gets older!
1. Boo boo buddy: Cold pack kept in the freezer. It makes those scrapes and bruises heal so much faster! LOL!
2. Crocks: We have crocks for every season! Alison' [...]
We have an extra dog in our house for the weekend. We're dog sitting for some friends while they are out of town. Her name is Biscuit.
Last night Alison got into bed for the night and Biscuit crawled under Alison's bed and laid down. I told Alison that it' [...]
It seems like everyone is looking for something cheap to do this summer. So far this summer we've filled our weekends with sidewalk chalk, bubbles and homemade sweet treats from the kitchen. And on hot days we've played in the sprinkler and in the inflatable kiddie pool! All cheap, but fun activities!
Last [...]
We went to a Smokies baseball game Friday night. It was Family Fun Night so after the game they set off fireworks. Alison didn't like fireworks last year so we weren't real sure what she'd think. She liked them! Maybe a little more than we thought...
... on Saturday morning' [...]
Danielle is baby sitting Alison two days a week this summer. All I can say about that is... thank goodness for the few teenagers that will spend their summer baby sitting... and thank goodness I know one of them!!!
Yesterday Danielle managed to talk her parents into picking them up and letting [...]
I swear... two weeks ago she couldn't reach these rings!!!
Her older friend Abby was at the house on Sunday doing flips from these same rings. I wonder how long it will be before Alison is flipping on them?
' [...]
Today I taught four incoming Freshmen all about newspaper design. Well, OK, so I taught them everything I could cram into the 30 minute time frame I was given. These four Knox County students were visiting the News Sentinel through the Schooled for Success program.
They sat down at [...]
A little voice whispering in my ear woke me up this morning. "Mommy, the sun's awake. And DayDay come stay with me today!" I looked at the clock... 6:34...holy moly! "Alison, it's not time to get up yet. Please go back to your bed and let mommy sleep!"
That's the last [...]
It's been eight long months of listening to Alison talk about opening the pool! The day finally arrived!
The goal was to get the cover off and keep all that sludge out of the pool!
There's the little princess directing the big event!
[...]
We took a road trip yesterday to Gatlinburg to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. We stopped at Ripley's Aquarium while we were there. We were looking at the fish in the coral reef exhibit. Steve held Alison up and pointed out all the little flakes of fish [...]
Every spare minute we had this weekend, Alison would say, "Lets Dance with the Stars, mommy!" She would run to her room, put on a dress, flip flops and a plastic tiara. Then we'd turn on the DVR to one of the Dancing with the Stars episodes.
I made a few videos.' [...]
Today was Alison's last day of preschool for this year. Hard to believe. She has learned so much this year! I'm very pleased with the school we chose. We've already signed up for next year.
Me: Alison, today is the last day of school!
Alison: (with big tears running down [...]
"Help mommy, I'm stuck in my drum!"
Those are the words I heard as I was getting ready for work. Of course I left her stuck in there long enough to grab the camera!! Just can't pass up photo ops like this one!
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I'm working tonight. Alison and Steve went to the Farragut Middle School band concert. I got this text picture from Steve. I guess Alison thought the music was too loud! LOL! All my co-workers got a good laugh from it!
' [...]
I don't know many mothers that would want to spend Mother's Day at Dollywood. I certainly wouldn't peg myself as someone that would! But... we have company in town and we needed something to do. Dollywood takes up the whole day. So, bright and early on Mother's Day we loaded [...]
I've been trying to write this entry for three weeks. But what do I say about the best dog in I've ever had? What can I say that's deserving of my best friend for my entire adult life? There aren't words good enough for my Peteydog!
Then it hit me that I [...]
We made May baskets for Alison's teachers this morning. She had such a good time delivering them! Happy May Day!!
[...]
For the last couple of years we've adopted a new Easter tradition. My mom started sending us confetti-filled eggs for Alison to hunt. It's a Mexican tradition to break these eggs, called cascarones, on your family and friends, covering them in confetti! It's loads of fun!! Alison called them her "fancy eggs"' [...]
Alison came running into the room...
Alison: Mommy, mommy, I used the big potty all by myself!
Me: You did! I'm soooo proud of you!
Alison: But I got toooo much toilet paper.
' [...]
It was a hectic morning. I was rushing around getting myself ready for work...getting Alison dressed...feeding the dogs...packing Alison's lunch... looking for Alison's lost tennis shoes. As I was begging Alison to hurry and eat her breakfast so she could get to preschool on time, she ran down the hall in [...]
I grew up in the very small town of Watonga, OK. About 2,000 people. I hated it when I was there. Don't get me wrong I have some great memories of growing up in Watonga! I just never realized it at the time. All I could think about then was that' [...]
Here are some funny things Alison said in the last week or two! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!!!
Mommy, my lip is sleepy.
Alison says this when her lips are chapped.
Alison: I have a big booger in my nose. Don't pick it mommy!
Me: Don't worry, I won't!
Alison:' [...]
Waving across the room to the Chick-fil-A cow!
I love her little foot kicking in the water!
How can you not smile when you see this one!
Peteydog's 15th Birthday party.
So proud of her pumpkin!
Riley [...]
Alison and daddy at the OU stadium!
Easter 2007. This is one of my very favorites!
Alison and Peteydog!
The year she didn't like Santa!
News Sentinel Day at the Zoo! What' [...]
I was cleaning the desktop on my computer at work today... because nothing else would fit on it! Seriously! It was full!! I'm so bad about keeping it organized. Anyway, I was cleaning it because I HAD to clean it since nothing else would fit! I found a few hundred photos of' [...]
There are five seasons in every year! Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Girl Scout Cookie Season!
I just lost five pounds... and now there are Girl Scouts in front of every grocery store, WalMart, Target and gas station in town tempting me with cookies! Don't get me wrong! I love the Girl Scouts!! I just' [...]
It's always fun to get a package in the mail!! I tore open the lid and told Alison to see what grandma sent.
First she pulled out a pair of new shoes and said, "Flip-flops! I got flip-flops!"
Here she is modeling her new flip-flops. This is [...]
I totally stole this idea from another blogger. It was such a good idea! I only wish I could remember who I stole it from so I could give due credit.
Anyway, I asked Alison some questions about myself. These are the exact answers she gave. I thought it would [...]
Yesterday afternoon Alison and I were out running some errands. Alison was begging to eat. I told her we had to stop by our friend Stephanie's house for just a minute and then we'd go home and start dinner. Like many of our friends, Stephanie always has something handy for Alison to' [...]
We called my grandmother a few days ago. Immediately after getting on the phone, Alison wanted to talk. Now remember, this is my grandmother that thinks Alison is perfect in every way!
Alison: Hi!
Grandma: Hi Alison, what are you doing?
Alison: I'm gonna take a bath. I'm stiiiiiinky!
Me: Give me the phone!
Now [...]
One of my grandpa's hobbies is making jewelry. He has made me a couple of bracelets, a ring and a watch. I keep them all in a little jewelry box on my dresser. I opened that jewelry box today and guess what I found? Lucky Charms!!! LOL! Alison filled the whole [...]
This is melting snow...
This is a dry road...
This is the sunny sky...
This is the dry interstate...
This is Alison playing in my cubicle at work because they canceled school today due to bad weather.
[...]
It's snowing in Knoxville... AGAIN!!! I swear, this NEVER happens!! Not in the eleven years I've lived here!
Big, wet flakes started falling early this morning and it hasn't slowed down yet. The snow is real wet this time. With every footprint you make, it is filled with a puddle of [...]
Why is it that moms lose their identity when they have children? Seriously, I can't even count how many times I've been introduced as "Alison's mom." At birthday parties, preschool, church, even by my own friends... I'm now known as Alison's mom! But today at lunch is the most unusual "identity loss"' [...]
This morning Alison and I went into the kitchen, I got her a bowl of dry honey nut cheerios. She won't eat them with milk. I also cut her up some strawberries and poured her a glass of milk. Then I went to check my e-mail. I might have been' [...]
We woke up this morning to a sky full of snow! It's been snowing ever since! I've lived in Knoxville for 11 winters and this is the most snow I've seen here!! There are more winters than not that it hasn't snowed at all. This is the first time I remember [...]
-- This week I'm a working mom without a car. ugh... talk about difficult. Steve and Alison have been driving 25 minutes (one way) to bring me to work and to pick me up every day. It's a scheduling nightmare... as if our schedules were crazy enough!!! But we'll get [...]
If you didn't know already, I spent the first 24 years of my life being a proud Oklahoman! I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma. Played in The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band for four years. Met my husband at OU, who also graduated from [...]
My whole family came to visit the week of Christmas. We had a great time! Alison had someone to play with every waking minute! She loved that!! Since she is the only child, she makes the adults play with her. No one seems to mind! And why would they! It [...]
Once upon a time there was a little girl named Alison who had a house full of toys. Then one day while she was napping her mommy packed up most of the toys and put them in the attic. Alison looked for days and days for her missing toys but couldn't find them. She was [...]
Tomorrow is the big day! My baby turns three!!!
I decided to send Alison to preschool tomorrow so she can have a party with her school friends. I'm taking cupcakes for them. I had to buy them at the grocery store which is no fun at all. The school requires [...]
My editor just walked up, handed me a card and said, "Happy Anniversary!" huh? Oh, right. I started working at the News Sentinel eleven years ago today! Woo-hoo! I had completely forgotten so it was actually a nice surprise! Hard to believe I started working here to do the stock [...]
Alison's birthday is on Friday! I can't believe she is already 3-years-old!! I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning with a great idea for a gift! I ran around Turkey Creek Shopping Center this morning before work looking for it! I found it after only three stops!!!
I have a few more [...]
Alison insists we hold hands and pray before we eat. Her little prayer has been modified to this:
God is great. Thank Him. Aaaaaaamen!
So, she loves to say the prayer but being quiet while other people pray is a whole different story! Here's a couple of examples...
-- Our church recently had a [...]
It's the biggest shopping day of the year!!! Sometimes I really get into things like this but I just can't seem to get into a Christmas shopping mood this year. I'm dreading it BIG TIME!!! I think my problem is that I have no idea what to get anyone!
I have [...]
Our first Christmas in Tennessee was very bleak. It was just Steve and I. For reasons I don't remember, we didn't go back to Oklahoma and none of our family traveled here to see us.
I do remember, however, sitting in our little apartment and Steve saying, "Well at least we [...]
Alison isn't fond of Santa. But she loves the Chick-fil-A Santa Cow! Steve took her to see Santa Cow last night! Looks like they had fun. Santa Elf was there too so it was extra special!
Steve told me Alison had to give the [...]
The News Sentinel is wanting your funny photos with Santa! Ya know the ones with your children terrified out of their wits while they sit on the Jolly Old Elf's lap!!! Send them to us by Dec. 15 and we'll reveal our top picks in the community section on Dec. 24.
Upload your [...]
