Andrea's Graduation and a Visit from Mom and Dad

My sister, Andrea graduated on December 15 with a degree in Elementary Education from UTA.

Andrea and her cute family: Ryan (husband), Ethan and Abby

She started her degree many years ago, but had to postpone finishing because of her miracle premature babies. Andrea went back to school taking classes at night or online while working at a school and being a wife to her working husband and a mother to her two school-aged children. She worked incredibly hard doing all of those things (not to mention she's incapable of giving herself any sort of break as far as grades are concerned--below an A is basically failing). She is such an inspiration! I was so glad I was able to go!

Sisters! (We all got degrees in education--pretty funny.)

My parents were in town for a little less than a week, so we were able to have lots of Black family fun.

I made Christmas cookies with my mom and sister.

Notice the little indentations on the pink star cookies? Callie had asked if she could have more "coo-keys", and I said no. After a while she came over to me and I saw a little pink sprinkle on her lip. I asked, "Callie, did you eat another cookie?" She said, "no, I eat sprinkle" and she ran off. I peeked at her a little later and found her pinching the sprinkles off the cookies. It was so funny and cute. 

My parents took everyone to a really fun place called Going Bonkers.

Cousin Hailey and Callie

Callie was beyond worn out after our fun time that night. She didn't even wake up when we took her out of my parents' rental car.

My New Nickname

We had a wonderful time with my parents in town over the past few days. Stories and pictures to come.

In her short little life, Callie has called me mama, mommy, and mommay. Now I'm mommom. Lately she keeps asking me, "whatcha doin mommom?" It's sooo cute!

Maddie's New Trick

And the result of her new trick...

She made a mess while eating. After putting a spoonful of food into her mouth, she would stick out her tongue and start blowing, spraying food everywhere.

Our Favorite New Game

Callie feeds Madison pieces of Cheerios while Mommy cooks dinner. Everyone's happy. Best. Idea. Ever. (I just hope it wasn't a one-time deal.)

This is Why I'm Glad We Live on the 1st Floor

We went upstairs to play with our neighbor friends. Anytime we go up those scary apartment stairs, Callie insists on doing it by herself. It takes a LONG time for her to go up and down all of those stairs, and I'm always scared she'll fall, but she does a good job!

Cousins!

 Callie holding the letters/pictures she received in the mail from her cousins in Utah. We miss you Owen and Sadie! 

This week we got to spend some time with Callie's cousins in Wylie. The girls had lots of fun jumping on the trampoline, playing with the dog and in the dog's kennel (kind of gross, but when you've got 4 kids under the age of 3 to watch, most forms of entertainment become acceptable), and playing with baby dolls.

Callie and Hailey

Katelund

Makayla

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Not. I've laughed when I've heard that song this week. I started listening to Christmas music a couple days ago because I figure it's about time, but as I listened, memories of driving to my in-law's in the snow came to my head, and it just didn't feel like Christmas to me.

A few minutes ago, I left the apartment to get the mail. It was 81 degrees with a warm breeze. I wore short sleeves, shorts, and flip flops. Some of the trees have leaves changing colors, while others are still green.

Even though I spent most of my Christmases here in Texas, this feels weird to me. Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying the amazing weather--it just doesn't feel like Christmas.