Ready to be DONE with this.....

I can't wait to see this face again!

before the RSV


Poor little Pookiey, I brought out my camera and she just looked at me with this confused look and mumbled "cheeeeeese."

In the thick of it......no pun intended, thick mucous that is; horrible cough, high fever and labored breathing; RSV stands for Respiratory syncytial virus. Emmy was diagnosed with this lovely virus on Monday. Doctor told us all we could do was wait out the virus and "let it run it's course" and we could treat the symptoms, like Tylenol for fever and Albuterol for the breathing. Today has definitely been her worse day, as the doctor predicted the virus would peak today. It is just so hard to see your little one so sick. We have truly been blessed, my kids have been very healthy and are rarely sick. There is the occasional ear infection or seasonal cold but really nothing serious. So I really shouldn't complain, this will pass in a few days and she will be up, running and chasing Tyson around in no time.

I normally write about fun things this family does or things that are out of the ordinary. But Emmy being this sick is some what out of the ordinary. Emerson is a tough little chickie, it takes a lot to get her down. So when she just wants to lay around on the couch......I know she is not herself. I felt it was worth documenting.

****As I was typing this, Tyson came in and looked at picture of Emmy and said, "whoa......she looks mean and evil. " Sweet, loving big brother.

ONLY in Texas......

The sun, the glorious sun was out ALL day today and my kids couldn't wait to play outside after school. I cannot believe that only two short weeks ago these same kids were wearing gloves, hats, boots and scarves. Today they have on shorts, tee shirts and crocs. Only in Texas!!!!

What you have here are some seriously white legs wearing last year's shorts.

My dirty little princess

What's up "LEGS?"

Leave it to these two to find the biggest dirt pile in the backyard......note, half of that dirt pile is on on Emmy's rear end. What are they doing?

Oreos Have NOTHING on these Babies

Each Friday I try to bake something yummy for the kiddos, like a Happy Friday dessert. This time I had these semi homemade sandwich cookies waiting on the table when Tyson got home from school. Aren't they cute??? They were DEEEELISH! Tyson sat down after school, began eating and said "Uh Mommy, these are my new favorite cookies!"

I just made some chocolate cake cookies using a box cake mix and whipped up some cream cheese powdered sugar frosting for the gooyey inside. I used Bakerellas's recipe with a few modifications.

YES, these are as good as they look!

"I not tired! Emmy no need nap!"

Are you sure about that?

Emmy decided to skip her nap today. I didn't really mind, she seemed to play all day in her room with her kitchen and her dolls. And before I knew it, it was 1:30 and too late for me to put her down and still get her up before leaving to pick up Tyson. We got home and she wanted to watch Yo Gabba Gabba (a show I cannot stand, but she LOVES it). I put it on in the living room and Tyson and I went to read books in my room.

I noticed there wasn't a lot of noise coming from the living room, I went to check on her and this is what I found.....

Poor Twinkle Toes.......just too tired to watch her favorite show. This is the first time she has ever fallen asleep anywhere but in her crib (besides the occasional car snooze).

I think she knows tonight is Movie Night at the Lucas house and she just wants to make sure she can stay up late to see the end of G-Force and partake in the movie night dessert.

"Can I wear my drum shirt?"

As I got Em dressed for school this morning, I realized this was the first time she had ever worn jeans to school. What?!? What had I been putting her in every Tuesday and Thursday? Dresses? Who knew I would be the mom to dress her little girl in only dresses. I certainly was not the girl that wore dresses everyday to school. My mother can attest to that.


Well, she seems to have to turned the "pretty pose" into this head tilt thing. As soon as I grab my camera she immediately tilts the head.

grande hot chocolate, not too hot, extra whip

What do you do in San Antonio on the coldest day on record? You sit outside in the backyard in the 24 degree (windchill) weather and wait for Daddy to get home. After you're done exploring of course. Everyday after school, Tyson gets home and puts on his camping backpack and goes "exploring" in the backyard. After being out there for about 15 minutes, he comes in and says, "Uh Mommy, can I order some hot chocolate........with whip cream....lots of whipped cream?"
Seriously?!? You want to order hot chocolate? Am I standing behind a counter with a cash register in front of me and a big sign with a menu above me? "What Mommy? Why are you looking at me like that? It's cold......you're supposed to drink hot chocolate in the cold." I was too busy with dinner to go into explaining ALL of the things wrong with the delivery of his request. Sure sir, your order will be right out.

I love sneaking some pictures when he doesn't see me. Look how old he looks. Even though I know he's inspecting the mug for an adequate amount of whipped cream.

Emmy's 1st Day Back

Em went back to school today. She did great. Although, as we were getting out of the car this morning in the parking lot she puts her chubby little hand up and says, "Mommy can I aks you someping? Of course. "Emmy doesn't like school really that much." Great..... Ok...... Let's get out, time for school.

On a different note......how 'bout that pose?!?!? Grandpa was here this morning and she wanted to show him her "pretty pose."

Brrrrrr!!!!!

It's so cold, my children have been forced to eat their night time dessert on the couch wrapped up in blankets. They have it so rough.

Live it up kids, when I get my new couches there will be no cookie eating on them.....in fact, you may not even be allowed to sit on them.........ever.

1st Day Back After a LONG Two Weeks

There were some tears last night as we began to prepare for Monday morning, gathering the backpack and lunchbox and picking out today's outfit. Tyson cried and said "I just wanna stay home!" We reminded him that he loves school. He agreed but kept saying "I just had fun staying home and I wanna keep staying home." I was afraid of this. We had such a fun Christmas break I sort of suspected it may be difficult to get back in the swing of things. However, 5:45 this morning came with a smile from Tyson. We was excited to get dressed and eat his breakfast. He asked me if I would walk him in since it had been a while. So Em in her jammies and boots and me in my sweats walked him in. Em gave him a big hug and kiss and told him to "have good day at school."

I think she's going to miss him today.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years

We hadn't seen Grandma Anne and Grandpa Jim since May. We were due for a visit. They arrived here the Tuesday after Christmas and we exchanged gifts that night, they kids were loving it......Christmas all over again. We had a great visit. It was low key and relaxing but we managed to get some shopping done. To say that there is not a huge variety of shopping in there town is probably an understatement. They always enjoy a trip out to La Cantera for some retail therapy. Since Jim had broke his leg a couple of days before Thanksgiving, we figured they didn't celebrate so I made a Turkey dinner too while they were here. It was three holidays rolled into one!

Grandpa and Grandma with 2 of their 8 grandchildren

Hello 2010

Goodbye to all of the yummy desserts that were baked and consumed in the Lucas household, you will be missed!!!! I lost track of just how much butter, sugar and flour I purchased in the last two months. Unfortunately my waste line did not. Paul and I bought early Christmas gifts for each other when we purchased gym memberships back in November. It is time to refocus on living healthy around here. I will need to go through my recipe repertoire for some low sugar, low calorie desserts.......if my Kitchen Aid goes too long with use, it may forget how to work; and that would be bad. And, who am I kidding....how long can I go without baking something?

Good Bye Double Chocolate Fudge Bundt Cake

Adios Barefoot Contessa's Sour Cream Maple Coffee Cake

last but not least, My Peppermint Red Velvet Swirl Cake.....you were as pretty as you were delicious