Santa Claus

When we started this Christmas season, Tanner had no clue about Santa Claus. When we were reading a book and Tanner saw a picture of Santa Claus, he goes, "Look, there's Jesus!"

But a few hundred books and movies later, Tanner must have figured it out.

Tanner caught me doing some online shopping -- and immediately began asking for some of the toys. Not really thinking, I told him he would have to ask Santa Claus if he wanted those toys. Immediately, Tanner replied, "Let's go buh-bye. I wanna see Santa." Right then and there at 8:00 on Friday morning. How was I suppose to produce a Santa? I tried to explain that Santa was at the North Pole, or flying with his reindeer, but he wanted NONE of it. Two-year olds and their tantrums - lovely.

Earlier that week, I was saying how horrible of a mom I was cause I didn't care if Tanner saw Santa. It just seems so overrated -- waiting in lines for hours -- and not sure how your kid will react. But really, I'm just not sure how much to emphasize and teach about Santa Claus. One day, they'll grow up realizing you filled their minds with lies. And it's really Christ's birth we celebrate and Santa seems to have turned into the camercialized version just like the Easter Bunny.

But then again, Santa Claus makes Christmas a fun and magical time of the year, how much harm can it really do? And the story of Old Saint Nicolas did originate with one person exempilflying Christ's love for others.

But when he was so persistent, I gave in. I took Tanner to see Santa Claus. He was excited and nervous all the the same time. He even told Santa just what he wanted -- toys.
I'm sure one day he'll grow old, and he'll never believe the nonsense I'm telling him. But for now, I love that he's little and the innocence of children makes them believe every word. And for me, that makes my Christmas magical.

Happy Halloween!!

Doesn't he make the cutest little vampire???

Seriously, adorable. I admit, I only got the costume cause it was on sale. But then I had this ingenious idea to have Anthony and I dress up like Edward & Bella -- except Anthony thought going as himself would be enough. For me, yes -- for others, probably not so much.

Party, Party!

At first, Tanner wanted nothing to do with his costume. I tried doing everything, but he ended up wearing his costume from last year to the first party we went to. It was a little snug -- but luckily it still fit.

Then he realized candy was involved -- and didn't have any problems wearing it the second night. I guess I did bribe him by telling him about the bounce house. But it worked. Yes -- finally!!

Pumpkin Carving

Then comes carving pumpkins. He didn't mind sticking his hands in there initially and getting all the gunk out...at first. Then he started flinging his hand around and the gunk was going everywhere.

Anthony ended up carving all our friends pumpkins too. Finally, those talented fine motor skills of being a dentist pays off :) He brought home a few special scalping tools from the lab -- and was the hit of the pumpkin carving party.

Sadly enough, the squirrels got to it before Halloween so there wasn't much left of it. Tanner told us "Squirrel mean." Those dang squirrels also decided to take off the nose and shoes of my little scarecrow. Seriously -- it is MEAN!

Trick or Treating at Work

It was fun showing off Tanner at work, but he was painfully shy.

That is, until he got into his "element" and began throwing for the bean-bag toss.

What's up now???

He was amazed by the pumpkin tattoo on his arm.

Trick-or-Treating

By the time Halloween day rolled around, Tanner was jumping at the chance to wear his costume and go Trick-or-Treating for candy. Just look at that SMILE!

And of course, had to visit our favorite neighbor, "Aunt Nell"

Our trick-or-treating friends

He was all business this year -- running as fast as he could -- and dragging his heavy bag of candy with him. I offered to help him -- but he'd -- "No, me hold it." Smart boy -- he knew I'd try to eat some :)

When he'd get to the house, he insisted on picking out one...two...as much as they'd let him. It's hard to turn down a determined two-year-old. But you have to. Otherwise, he wouldn't stop reaching his little arm in there and grabbing the candy. But at least he'd always say thank you.

A few times, people would try to put the candy in the bag for him, thinking they were doing him a favor. But he didn't want any of that either. Mr. Independent had to do it himself.

Last year, I just remembered how he'd try to run into the houses after they'd open the door. He's totally grown up since then -- but as always -- such a hoot.

It's Fall Y'all

Finally -- Fall is here. It's been a hot, hot summer. But the past month, the 100 degree summer nights have come to an end and we've been able to enjoy some time outside.

The Great Big Pumpkin Festival @ the Dallas Arboretum

Playing King of the Pumpkin Hill

Throwing hay in the air -- what else can you expect of boys?

Smiling adorably -- but only when Nanny is next to him!!

He LOVEs her so so much!!!

Watching a chicken eat a worm in the dirt -- and trying to feed the goat some hay.

We tried to stay for Kindermusic class -- but Tanner was more interested climbing throught he bushes and trees marked offlimits and we barely made it through the class.

Visit from Smith family

I think we squeezed as much as we could in the few days Chelsea, Brandon, and Avery were here -- Chuckie Cheese, Dallas Zoo, Shenigans for Bowling, Arcade Games & Go-Carting. And yes, even Tanner got to ride the Go-Carts!!

My first visit to Chuckie Cheese in over 20 years

The kiddos didn't quite get the concept of "rolling" the balls

Many tears were shed when it was time to say good-bye to the tractor.

Dallas Zoo

Tanner kept trying to find his own nature trail and escaping into all the greenery around the zoo.

The faves

W also went on a monorail ride around the zoo. We had to stop several times cause the storks didn't want to move of the train tracks. And Tanner wanted to hop out and join then. One of the storks came close to pecking us -- but luckily chose the next caboose to attack.

At the end of their trip, I asked Avery if she missed us now that they lived in KC. She was hesitant and didn't say anything -- so I continued, "Well, maybe just a little bit." Then she finally spoke up. "Not just a little -- A LOT!" There's just something about this girl that melts my heart every time.

Craft Night

I admit, my craftiness is limited (there's a reason why I'm an accountant). But every now and then, I surprise myself, and I actually LOVE how this turned out. I admit, it really was copying the great work of others -- but thus the beauty of Craft Night with a bunch of girls. And goodies. You can't have one without the other.

Texas State Fair

This year, we ventured to the Texas State Fair to see the Pig Races, visit the petting zoo (which inlcuded a giraffe that came close to kissing Tanner and a Ostrich that pecked away the rest of our food). We also saw the Car Show and Tanner was in his glory "test driving" all the new models of cars and trucks. But really, the only reason why you go the fair is for the food. We sampled the old fried food -- Tornado Taters, Corny Dogs, Funnel Cakes, and Friend Cheese Curds. And if that wasn't enough -- I even tried Fried Oreos and Fried Frito Pie. I was too busy eating to take any pictures :)

Dallas Children's Museum

Quite possible Tanner's favorite place in the whole wide world -

Firetrucks

Music

Water

Lights

Air

And so much more that I didn't capture with a camera -- human size bubbles and sand box to dig up dinosaur fossils are other great hits.

And other random happenings

One Saturday, Tanner spent 2+hours mowing the lawn. Now that the weather is nice, he could play outside ALL day long.

Painting with water colors

I desperately want him to learn to play the piano -- maybe one day.

Afternoon tea with all the Callison girls

Potty Training Gone Bad

Tanner, Tanner, Tanner -- Oh what am I going to do with you.

He's getting smarter by the minute, and I just can't keep up.

I was on the potty training kick -- and decided I needed to incentivize. I baught him a package of these toy tractors -- and he was in LOVE. I was convinced this would be enough motivation -- and promised him if he went on the potty he would get one.

He went the first time, and he got a tractor. It worked -- but a little toy well.

5 minutes later, he was asking to go potty again. He sat on the pot, and went again. Then asked for another tractor.

And then again another 5 minutes later. He's trying to beat the system -- what am I suppose to do???

Our Camping Adventure

Last week, we packed up the car and headed out of town. With family in tow, we left the great state of Texas and went to Turner Falls in Oklahoma.

The first night, we thought we were crazy and almost regretted the whole thing. Getting lost in no where land, being pulled over by a cop, and setting up camp in the pitch dark. Even better, Tanner managed to fall right onto a cactus. I just assumed it was tiny rocks on his hands and tried to brush them aside. But he screamed. Then I came to the lantern and saw the full magnitude -- 100s of sharp hair-like needles in his hand.

Anthony got to do the dirty work and pulled them all out -- and he thought Tanner would NEVER forgive him for inflicting so much pain upon him. But he did. The next day, his hand was as good as new.

But the next day proved to be well worth the trip.

We hiked up to a beautiful waterfall and the kids played in the water.

In Oklahoma, this is as close to a beach as you're going to get.

The water was the clearest water I've ever seen, just a little too cold for my taste. I did, however, enjoy a great little snooze on the beach.

The boys ran off and did a real hike.

While us girls just sat and let the kids play.

Skipped a few rocks.

.

While Tanner just threw grass

Explored a few castles. Walked up 100+ stairs (trust me, the next day my calves were feeling the repercussion).

Tanner running the entire time. Just watching him made me exhausted :)

And somehow, FOOD always seems to taste better when you're camping. And with Michael in charge of food -- we were guaranteed never to go hungry and ate lots of yummy food -- chili and tin-foil dinners, s'mores, pancakes, sausage, eggs -- can you tell yet the food is always my favorite part of camping??

And I've never seen Tanner happier. He was definitely in his "element." With an endless supply of dirt at his fingertips, he could not have been happier.

Cousins to play with. And by the end of the trip, little Sophie was calling Tanner her boyfriend and they couldn't get enough of one another.

Tanner also loved to go exploring in the trees and woods around our campsite.

He even had the unfortunate pleasure of landing face first on a rock. Right as I was running to him saying -- 'Oh, Poor little guy' -- he was up and running away. Nothing could stop him from enjoying the great outdoors.

But he looked like he had gotten in a bad fight -- see!!! He was SO ready for that nap on our way home.

So besides having our little ray of sunshine awake at the crack of dawn at 6:00 am,

And sleeping on a half inflated air mattress

And having to use a port-a-potty with no toilet paper (don't ask).

Our trip was a HUGE success.