The Moll's at Sweet Sky Farm

So, it was mentioned a couple of posts below that we got a new car, and that I was to post about the exciting details...well, it's turned out a little different than originally stated. We DID buy a new car, but we DID NOT keep the new car. We had entered an agreement to purchase a pre-owned metallic blue 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid that was transferred here for us from a dealer lot in Dallas. Generally speaking, the make and model is AWESOME; the hybrid technology is seamlessly integrated, it's very peppy and comfortable to drive, and we got just over 33mpg on the 500 or so miles that we drove it over 5 days. The problem is....the car had been in a wreck (undisclosed to us by the dealer), and there were multiple signs of a rear-end repair and repaint. So, we took advantage of the Dealer's 5 day, 100% money back satisfaction policy and gave the car back. What we did learn from the experience is that the Altima Hybrid IS the car we want, and we WILL be getting one....just...

... Daddy messes with the kids. Nice tat, Emme. And as Daddy said, she was flat tuckered out after visiting the tattoo parlor.

Andy : Mmmmmmm. Thanks for dinner. This lasagna smells great. Kerry : Not a problem. I know it's your favorite. ***Andy takes a bite and makes a big deal out of burning his tongue*** Addison (with a very serious and concerned look) : You have to be Caaaaarefwullllll, Daddy! It's hot, Daddy. You okay, Daddy? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Addison : Where's my moon, Mommy? Kerry : There it is! Addison : There it is, Mommy! That's myyyyyyyy mooooooon. ***Pause while we both admire the full moon*** Addison (in the most sweet voice you've ever heard) : I want to touch my moon mommy. I touch it, pwease? Kerry : No, baby. It's too far away to touch. ***Pause to think about how far away it is*** Addison : Mommy has a spaceship. She touch it! We go in the spaceship. Where does she get this?!?!?!

So we bought a car tonight (I'll let Andy blog about it) and went through the usual, "give me all the facts about your entire credit history" part. The nice car salesman (and I mean that seriously, he was very nice) went through Andy's information first and then looked at me... actually wearing a nice sweater this time... looked at the girls, and clicked the UNEMPLOYED box. I must have coughed and sputtered, maybe even fainted for a few seconds and of course, flustered the poor man as he helped to pick me off of the ground. He looked at me and said, "Oh, you don't work outside of the house, do you?" Weeellllllllllllll.................. Nope, I don't. That's the simple answer from now on. When people ask what I REALLY do, I'm going to smile and say I'm unemployed. I've embraced it, it's who I am, and I'm moving on. Maybe. :-)

Curious Mom at daycare: Hi Kerry! Me (wearing jeans and a sweatshirt again ***blush***): Oh, Hi. Curious Mom: What's on your agenda today? Me: Dunno! ***blush again, for real*** Curious Mom: Oh, okay ***looking completely befuddled and fake searching for her keys to hide embarrassment. Now, I know I should have helped the conversation along, but I was without much coffee this morning and Emme had a dirty diaper, and I really don't know how to answer the question... ..............What do you REALLY do?.............. I had two people ask me this just this week alone and I never know what to say. Usually it's just, "I'm a student." So here is what I REALLY do, or at least what I'm doing this week: Monday: Drop Addison off at daycare sometime before 9:00. Intern at local school district from 9:30 - 2:00. Drive downtown (40 minutes) to conduct a focus group interview with elementary school teachers as part of my Research Consultant...

Not quite crawling...

A big thank you goes out to Aunt Vivian and Uncle Todd for their Valentine's gift to Addison and Emme. They sent the cutest matching "jammies" and other clothes as well as new SHOES for both Addison and Emme. Addison is in shoe heaven with the gold sparkly shoes (think Wizard of Oz, but gold) and Emme really loves to chew on hers. They look absolutely darling!!! Here are some pictures of the two of them. Addison is still amazingly in love with her sister and Emme just can't get enough of Addison. I hope you enjoy these! I'll post some videos of Addison trying to teach Emme how to crawl in a little bit. Kerry

Addison got to see her first ever musical this weekend. Papa and I took her to see Elmo and his friends at Sesame Street Live . She loved the lights, the confetti and the singing. When we came home and Daddy asked what she saw, she said, "Elmo sings, and Big Bird. And they take a nap, but come back soon." I guess the intermission was a big hit :-) She clapped along with all of the songs and danced as much as she could, bopping her little head and shoulders. The adventure was very exciting for her and in the afternoon, she took a ***four hour nap***. Kerry

For those of you that don't speak toddler, I will transcribe the lyrics in a comment. Note that Emme is eating an object...If you understand the lyrics, you'll find it amusing that she's eating a whale. While it's fun to play with her sister, immediately upon the end of the song, Addison declared "Emme done! Emme want out." (does it look like Emme is done and wants out?)

Pappy and Ba-Chan's visit is over. Addison and Emme had a great time with them. We spent Saturday just playing around the house, feeding the birds and deer, and then in the afternoon, Addison took Pappy to one of her friend's birthday party. We think it was the first children's party he's been to in at least thirty years. On Sunday, we went downtown for an early lunch at Katz's and took the girls to the Children's Museum , which we haven't done before. Addison had a blast, even though we stayed past her naptime. She played with lots of toys that made different noises with pings and rings and gongs, and there was also a water play area and rooms to build lots of things. Addison loved everything, but her favorite was the kitchen. I know, SHOCKER! They had a kitchen that was 1/2 the normal size, completely stocked with food and utensils. She kept going back to it. During the trip, Pappy made his special "pappycakes" and the girls also enjoye...

Hope you don't mind the post. the card is in the mail, but I'll warn you the print quality isn't what I had hoped (still working on the printer settings) Be sure to read the p.s. :)

Yep! That's right... I'm a Momocrat. A mom and a democrat... gee, like you didn't know I was a little "left" of center. Anyhow, I know that this is a totally apolitical blog (and I'm definitely not endorsing any specific candidate), but I just couldn't not post this link to Mom-101 . Having two girls makes me more committed than ever to making sure that what I do every day will make their world a better place. Informed voting is one of those things. It is also why I am so dedicated to improving our public education!!! It is also why Addison has been to vote with Andy and me four times in her short life... and no, it's not just so she can get the stickers ;-) So this I say to everyone, especially for all those moms of daughters out there: take the time to think about the power of your vote and how the next President of the United States will enact policies that might directly affect your child's quality of life. ... but please, like the title...

I forgot to put this one on here from our trip to Florida. It shows how fearless Addison was in trying out new adventures.

Pappy and Ba-Chan are here for a visit. I'll update more later, but thought I would share a few pictures. The weather here has been beautiful for their visit and lots of time has been spent outside. Also below is a picture of one of the blankets Ba-Chan made for the girls. It is so fun! Kerry