New Do....

Kenyon has decided she is a ponytail girl. She loves for Miss Kim to put her hair up in a rubber band. I try it and she promptly pulls it out. Lucky for her I don't use those bands with the plastic balls on it like mom did.

They would slip and crack her on the knuckles. She would cuss and pull our hair tighter until she was mad as hell and we were crying. Whoever invented those must not have been a mom.

I remember when Hank would fix Sara's hair to take her to daycare. By the time I picked her up at the end of the day her pigtails were lopsided and halfway undone. I could always tell how good of a day she had by how messed up her hair was.

With Kenyon it is how messy is her shirt. Non of the other kids in her class seem to get near as dirty or have half the amount of sand in their shoes at the end of the day.

Birthday Party

Yesterday we went our our friend Jule's second birthday party in Keller. The park where it was help was great! Everything was very low so we didn't have to worry about Kenyon careening down the slide and landing halfway across the park. She started yelling "fing, fing" before we even got out of the car.

She had a chance to spend some time the her friend Conor, and the Daddies got to talk military, and other stuff they like to talk about. We even got a few good pictures of the bday girl.

Not sure what is wrong with Kenyon but she won't eat bday cake. She will eat ice cream, chocolate, and an occasional cookie but not cake. I think she only licks the icing off the cupcakes at school. Now don't get me wrong, we don't give her a bunch of these teeth rotting sweets, so when we do it is a treat.

At Conor's party all she did was stick her fork in the middle of the cake and picked the whole thing up. Then she looked at me as if to say, "What now?" Maybe a love for sweets is something she skipped out on in the gene pool. Unfortunately her parents love a good dessert.

We are still working on how to drink out of a juice box. She finally gave up and took the straw out and just drank it out of the tiny whole in the top. Tilted her head back and squirted it in her mouth.

All in all she had a fun time was had by all.

A Dog's 15 Minutes of Fame

Our dogs are famous. At work they did a article on employees and their pets. Naturally I had to write in and tell them what greyt dogs we had. The article came out and people kept talking about Finn & Sylvie for weeks afterwards. I even had people email to tell me about their greyhounds. There were a number of dogs mentioned in the write up but I felt ours were the most interesting. Anyway, I really didn't like the flow of the write up, I had practically written it for him but due to space he had to chop it up. So, here is what a bit of what I submitted.

How exciting that Finn and Sylvie will be famous! Finn is a retired racer who is almost 6 years old. He has been retired since 2005. When we adopted Finn, who raced in Massachusetts as Scotch on the Rocks, he was emaciated and had been turned over by his current owner. Not the owner who raced him. How he made it to Texas we don't know.

He was not leash trained and was very territorial about his food, but was familiar with other comforts of home. Many former racers don't know how to climb stairs are scared of ceiling fans, etc. When we adopted him from the Ft. Worth Human Society he was about 70 pounds, now he is about 86. He is all muscle. He is built for speed, loves to run especially in colder weather.

But he loves to sleep and is very lethargic after returning from a visit to the dog park. Currently there are about 10-15 greys that visit the dog park in North Richland Hills. When they are all together it is like standing in a herd of deer.

Finn is disciplined and will listen when you give him a command. Due to his size he cannot sit like other dogs. He has a very docile personality and will allow my toddler to climb all over him without moving a muscle. The other day she was using him as a step stool to climb on the couch. It did not phase him in the least.

Sylvie, on the other hand is the polar opposite of Finn. Eliza Dolittle to his Henry Higgins. She is not tattooed in her ears which means she never raced, and therefore never trained. No training = no discipline. She is more love hound than greyhound. She likes to be in your lap in some capacity. When my husband is in class in the evening she will sit and whine until he gets home if I don't give her what she considers an appropriate amount of love.

She was found wandering on the streets and brought to the shelter. She had a very deep cut on her paw. So much so that her tendon is damaged and her toes are now flat unlike other dogs curved toes. She still manages. We don't know if that is why she was released or if that happened while on the run. She is smaller than Finn, and other greys. She helps Finn adjust to being a dog and he tries to teach her to be more like a greyhound. There are days he looks at her as if to say, "Have you no breeding!"

Sylvie was skin and bones when we took her in and now the vet tells us she needs to lose 5-7 pounds! I tried to explain to the Doctor that Sylvie and my toddler are partners in crime. Sylvie does the clean up after Kenyon is finished eating, but unlike Finn she draws the line at allowing her to climb all over her. Sylvie likes to be the one who eats first, but Finn has to be the first one in the door coming from outside. He won't tell us when he needs to go outside, that is Sylvie's job to whine and bark until we wake up and let them out.

Sylvie sleeps on the furniture, steals cough drops, loves to chase cats and tries to outsmart the squirrels at the dog park. She only runs when SHE feels like it. She hates when it is cold because she has to wear the ugly coat and Finn gets the sleek racer coat. She has been known to refuse to get out of the car. She prefers to go person to person at the park to get attention rather than playing with the other dogs.

When she eats she always leaves a bit of food "between her cheek and gum" as a snack for later. We believe it is because while on the streets she did not know when her next meal would be. It is kinda gross. Their favorite game is fetch, but only in the house, never outside. When asked if good dogs need treats, Sylvie always gives and enthusiastic bark "yes", literally. Not a day goes by that they don't start and end the day with a good howl. Greys are known for pointing nose to sky and giving a good woooohooooo! Ours are no different. My husband gets in on the action and occasionally my toddler will give it a good woohoo try. It is a family affair.

Bottom line we love our greys; they are an important part of the family. They are a great conversation piece and being with them is like traveling with Rock Stars.

Hanging with my gnomies

Erin, this one is for you....

Hank HATES gnomes. I mean Hates them. When we were getting to know each other one of his questions was "do you like yard art?" Little did I know then he really meant "Do you have gnomes in your yard?" If he had his way this is what he would do with all the gnomes of the world....A gnome Gitmo if you will.

Well, my sister Erin and her dear husband, Chip love to figure out what gets under your craw then they peck away at it much like a chicken pecking your eyes out. Since Hank's hatred for the little magical elf came to light they have torn pictures out of magazines and put them on the fridge, bought a gnome in a box at B&N bookstore, and wrapped a little garden gnome holding a Christmas wreath and placed it ever so gently under our tree one year. It has gotten so bad Hunter & Roz have begun texting pictures of gnomes to him. Dang kids and their unlimited texting. No disciple and no respect for their elders!

Jane, never to be outdone gave Hank a t-shirt for his bday that said the "Slowly the garden gnomes are stealing my sanity." Now Hank loves that shirt and wears it quite often. Never has a statement been more true.

There is a point to this, I promise. So, when I was PG we went to OKC to spend Christmas with the Miles gang. Hank, being good natured, bought three colorful garden gnomes and began hiding them in the least suspecting places around Erin's house. One was in the kitchen and I forget where the others wound up. Knowing Hank in the bathroom on the toilet.

This weekend Kenyon discovered the gnomes that had been tucked away in the garage for several years now. Hank pulled them out and let her play with them in the front yard. He called me outside so I could witness our child holding the gnomes by the tip of their pointy little heads and making them dance. Then she would gently push them over and say "night night" The third she would cradle in her arms and pet as if to get it to go to sleep.



She kept referring to them as "My babies". It was pretty sweet. But not sweet enough to leave them in the front yard for decoration.

















I really don't know what he has against them? Travelocity has been able to make a go of having a spokesgnome. They are pretty cute, especially when they are trying to make you laugh at breakfast.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!







May you always have walls for the winds,a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,and all your heart might desire.


As you can see Mr. Potato Head and Tater Tot are big in our house. Kenyon has graduated to a medium-sized bin to keep her spud family in. We are up to four adults and two little spuds. She will sit in our lap and play and play. What is really funny is watching her trying on the hats and sticking the facial parts up her nose like she is trying to put them on her. It is hilarious!

From our house to yours have a green St. Patrick's day with lots of potato heads, corned beef and ale to cure what "ails" you!



Love,

The O'Johnson's
Hank, Susan, Sara & Kenyon

Pooh

As I have mentioned in other posts Kenyon has taken a liking to Pooh. I got her a little Pooh bear at the consignment sale. Needless to say she has to hold it while she watches Pooh and friends. Hank was lamenting at the fact all cartoons are all computer animated now. I think he still secretly roots that Wylie Coyote will outsmart the Roadrunner. He needs to give up that dream, just like the one I have that the Big Wheel although making a an expensive comeback will EVER be as cool as it was the first time. I know I am old school.

We have been casually working on potty training with Kenyon. The other day she managed to 'pooh" in her potty. It hasn't happened since, but we keep trying. We are not totally committed to hard core training yet. I know our friend Amy has the colored marshmallows in the ready for their potty training weekend. I haven't decided what method we will take. I guess I should do some reading.

This is how we ride

So, Kenyon is growing up so fast she already thinks she should be able to drive my car. She likes to jump out of her carseat the second the latch is off and dive in the front seat. She did that Thursday as if she was ready to go cruisin' Blvd. I guess when she is old enough to sneak out and take my car I should make sure the keys are well hidden. With a face this cute you would give her just about anything.

On the other hand, Gam, Pop, Jane, Everley, Jacey & Maeve are all piled in the new Traverse headed to visit Aunt Erin. Rozalyn's prayers have been answered. She got Aunt Jane to Okie country. I have already called the Edmund PD to warn them they are coming. Dad has loaded the ice chest like he is going to a third world country. Of course Erin will tell you it is hard to get some Epicurean delights across the Red River.

We met the group north of Ft Worth to get our ice chest filled with ribs, a huge bag of jumbo shrimp, and steam bags of Parisian carrots that I can only find at HEB.. I wish we had a HEB up here.

Leave it to Dad to outfit the brand new vehicle with a deer hauler on the back. It was either that or hook a trailer up to it and I think Mom would draw the line at that. She still holds delusions that it is HER vehicle. Ha.

Welcome Home, Sir

We are throwing up a prayer of Thanksgiving this week. Hank's buddy from West Point, Mike, made it home from Iraq after 13 months. I know Teresa & Jack are beyond crazy happy that he has returned.

We are thankful he has come home to the "right side of freedom" as I posted on his FB (Facebook to you novices) wall. Hank still has friends in the fight to varying degrees and we continue to pray for the safety and well-being of not only our soldiers but their families as well.

We long for the day when the troops are home and the world is at peace. So to Mike, welcome home Major and thank you for your service. And to Teresa, Amen.

Ding Dong the Bratz are Gone!

Women around the world can breathe a sigh of relief, Bratz dolls will be removed from the shelves, or so the legal ruling states. I can't begin to express my joy for that judge who ruled in favor of young girls everywhere. Unfortunately for me I have already had to explain to Sara why she is not allowed to play with, dress like, or want to emulate those floozies.

But other Moms will be spared from having "the talk" with their daughters, and I don't mean the talk accompanied by a school film that leaves you bringing Kotex home in a paper bag hoping that the neighborhood boys don't yank it out of your hand to play catch with it.

I mean the one that helps young girls learn what a reputation is and how it can get tarnished very quickly and unknowingly. The one in which you explain how a girl dresses is what people think of her. You wear short skirts and revealing tops and the next thing you know boys are trying to get you on the back of the bus during the band trip. No I am not speaking from experience.

I know these dolls are supposed to represent, exaggerated as they may be, a certain ethnic group. In my opinion(thank God my blog is not widely read because I would probably get hate mail) it doesn't do a very good job advancing the culture. If anything it digresses what many Latina women have worked for: beauty, grace, intelligence, and being a positive role model.

Our girls are being forced to grow up way too fast in a society that thinks it is cute to dress your six year old like a Barbie Mini-Me and parade them up and down a stage singing some awful 70s song with sexual innuendos that the kid knows nothing about but the Mom is trying like hell to capture her youth by the tail.

I have to put a plug in for the movie Little Miss Sunshine. It is a testament to just what we will put our daughters through in order to make our dreams come true. And how far should a parent go to support their daughter when you know they are on the road to disater. The final pageant scene is priceless and will leave those of us with a little bit of sense in our head standing up and cheering for the underdog.

I know it is a different world than when I was a kid, walking to school in the snow uphill both ways, but are we doing our girls and their future partners any service by teaching them that sex sells and beauty (distorted as it may be) trumps brains every time?

Okay I have put away my soapbox. Just don't ask me about the Disney Princesses.

Nana Came to Town

Jeannette came to visit last weekend. She had not seen Kenyon since Christmas and was definitely seeing a different kid. Her vocabulary has expanded tremendously since moving over to Early Preschool at daycare.

On Saturday Nana came to yoga with me and then we stopped at Kroger where Kenyon had her first ride in the car grocery cart. She loved it, especially since she could reach all the candy at the check out counter. She is partial to icebreaker sours.

Jeannette managed to get Miss K to sit still to read some books. What else would a librarian do with a book collector? Kenyon must have at least 50 books. I told hank that I would rather stumble over books than step on Barbie shoes that get stuck in my foot. I don't care how good she looks at 50.

Notice her Pooh bear. Kenyon has developed a love for Poooohhh and Mo Mo, which is a good thing since it appears Jack from Jack's big music show on Noggin has been taken off the air.

Kenyon's Kitchen

is open for business. I picked this cute kitchen up at a consignment sale for $15. When Kenyon saw it the following morning she let out this deep "Ohhhh" and spent the next 20 minutes playing with it, which we all know is like a year in toddler time.

She is getting bigger and bigger everyday. Some days too big for her britches. Literally. She is wearing a 2-3t in shirts and 24-2t in pants. I am grateful for the clothes that Aunt Jane and Neighbor Lori passed from their twin girls. We are covered with plenty of dresses and fun skorts.

Lori gave Kenyon a Mo Mo dress (Elmo) and loves to sleep in it and wear it over her PJ's. She also has two more Elmo outfits from Jane that are the next size up. It is funny how she has become attached to certain things. I had to hide a pair of sandals that were too big for her because she kept wanting to wear them. She even slept in one of them.

She loves a brown Gymboree sweater that she not only sleeps in but has dug out of the dirty clothes crusted with dried yogurt from the day before only to wear it to school. What can I say pick your battles. Hank said that the teachers have probably seen kids come to school with s@!t on them. I said fortunately we have never sent her to school like that. Now whether we have gone to work with s@!t on us is another thing.