Not quite Spring

February and March are always such weird months in Memphis. It goes from bitter cold to warm and wonderful in just a day, which in our case means kids that are sweating in turtlenecks by the end of the day or freezing in shorts. The temperature roller coaster also means more of the inevitable crud for the kiddos, which most recently came in the form of the croup for poor Gray. But after spending a good part of our weekend at Walgreens' "Take Care Clinic" and a super dose of prednisone, crazy Gray is back to his crazy old self. Let's just hope it's the last bout of illness for the season because this mommy can't handle much more.

Aside from unpredictable weather, February is also filled with two of our favorite annual occasions: Valentine's Day and Lovie's birthday. I know what you're thinking and no, we haven't been brainwashed by Hallmark or American Greetings. We do, however, love any occasion that calls for a mandatory date night and a free babysitter.  This Valentine's Day Adam and I treated ourselves to a dinner at Pasta Italia, a restaurant we had been dying to try since we were pregnant with Gray. We sucked up the fact that it was 30 minutes away and slightly beyond our budget and headed over there with visions of good Italian vino and authentic cannolis and were not disappointed.....although the vino part almost didn't happen thanks to my "baby face". Some day I'm sure I'll be thankful to my mom for these genes, but I have to admit, it's still a little annoying.

Linda's birthday is also a fun occasion because it's a guaranteed Patterson family gathering, which is always such a blessing. A little Coletta's pizza, some good red wine, and some Fresh Market desserts and we were set to celebrate another great year for "Lovie".  The cousins played and we watched with big smiles. These are the things that we know we would have missed had we moved and they are even more special as a result.

Lauren and Andrew finally moved into the home that they've been renovating for the last 6-8 months and we are so happy for them. As sad as it is to no longer see them in their kitchen window through the windows in our den, it's so nice knowing they are still just down the street. We have so many wonderful plans and hope for the future, raising our kids just two streets apart, and are looking forward to making so many fun new memories in their new home on Oakley.

We are in the midst of a kitchen renovation, which has left us with no stove for a day and no sink for 2 days. While it's been more than a pain in the rear, it makes me all that more thankful that we aren't undergoing a FULL kitchen renovation. With all of the eating out, I'm not sure my waistline could have afforded much more than what we've endured! Pictures to come soon, but just so you know, we are already kicking ourelves for not doing this 5.5 years ago when we moved in. I mean, we are in our kitchen approximately 42 hours a week, so this is definitely a worthwhile venture.

After several sarcastic comments from others and a threat from Adam to get out the clippers, I finally took Gray to get a much-needed haircut. Here he is shortly after, looking like such a big boy.

I seriously can't believe how old he is, even though this has been the longest 3.5 years of my life.I bought him his first pair of jeans the other day and teared up when I saw him in them.  I look at him and can't help but see the chubby-cheeked baby that he was, even though he is rail-skinny these days. He eats nothing but air for the most part and spends half of his days in time out, but I can't help but adore him anyway. He is loving his school, especially his Spanish and computer classes. We continue to be so thankful for the blessing that First Baptist Day School has been.

Hayes is becoming more and more verbal and a mini-me of Gray. She begs to put on the Buzz Lightyear or Spiderman costume, even though she has tutus and princess costumes galore. She is such a good eater and we feel so thankful for that. She has more teeth and hair that any child should have at this age and she continues to keep us in stitches with her sweet and sassy ways.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more info from the Patterson clan.

Emily, Adam, Gray and Hayes Patterson

The cold weather has definitely slowed us down a little over the last month, as have the constant sicknesses we've been battling....ear infections for sweet Hazey, the stomach bug for Gray and me, and pink eye for Adam. But I think (knock on wood) that we're finally on the mend and looking forward to some better days ahead. Sweet Hayes had another set of tubes put in and her adenoids taken out today. She had a rough time coming out of the anesthesia but was back to her sassy old self after a few short hours. She is so funny these days, repeating so many words (Lovie, P, french fries, hot dogs, hugs, love you....all a girl's favorites!) and we just melt every time we hear them.It reminds us how big she has grown and that's she's really not a baby anymore....even if she's still our baby. We can't wait till the new tubes kick in and she's back to her sweet little self....being feisty with her brother, loving on everybody, and eating everything in front of her. Even being as sick as she's been hasn't stopped her from trying (and loving) ceasar salad, sushi, and salsa over the last month. Thank God for at least one good eater!

In contrast, Gray is eating nothing but yogurt, PB&J, and cheese these days and I'm about to pull my hair out trying to make sure he eats enough to "keep a bird alive" as my grandmother would say. You watch....he's going to shock us all and be a food critic one day. Until then, I'm going to try and not give myself a nervous breakdown over it. Stay tuned....

I am also happy to report that we have recently conquered the formidable potty training challenge and what turned out to be a not-so-traumatic affair. The key was definitely waiting until he was ready, using a sticker chart, and promising a big toy (in his case, Bumblebee the Transformer) once it was all said and done.  I owe a huge debt to our sweet neighbor, Carie, for the "3 day manual" she shared with us. It definitely saved us a lot of time and tears.

Adam traveled to California for a good part of this week and left me panicked with two semi-sick kids as I gear up for another year of Staxtacular--the event that I planned last year to benefit Soulsville and the Stax Music Academy. No matter how stressed out I get during the planning of this event, and I do, I continue to remind myself how blessed I am. I am working from home....doing something fun....that I love....and am good at (or at least like to think that I am). How many times can we say that in our lives? Thank you Lord for knowing me better than I do and always having a plan when mine seems to fail.

Here are some pics from the last month....not many, but good memories nonetheless.

Gray enjoying the first big snow of the year

My big boy

Sweet Hazey and her love for peppermint oreos!

Hayes' first reaction to the snow

Until next time,
The Pattersons

A very merry Christmas

The Patterson family had a very merry Christmas despite both kids being sick.

My sick baby boy

We did Christmas crafts with Lovie and Papa and made sugar cookies for Santa in preparation for the big guy's long-awaited arrival.

Making pretzel snowman with Lovie and Papa

The finished product

Making cookies for Santa

P and Pop came in town, Mal and Big came (all the way) over from midtown, and we enjoyed Christmas Eve the Olivier way with church then a traditional Cajun dinner and a few early Christmas presents.

The pirate ship from P and Pop

On our way to Christmas Even church service

New princess book from P and Pop

After a late night of assembling, displaying, arranging, and preparing for the next morning, Adam and I awoke early in anticipation of the kids reactions.

Gray's Santa loot

Letter from Bill the elf and leftover cookies/milk from Santa

Hayes' Santa loot

We waited and waited and waited, but not a peep did we hear. For those of you who know my kids, you know that they wake up at the crack of dawn and at the slightest hint of a sound in the nearby vicinity (thank you Lord for a master bedroom with its own separate wing!). For those of you who know me and Adam, you know that we dare not breathe a sound, lest we might wake our light-sleeping babies, and we have been known to shush people, take phones off ringers, and all-together skip necessary activities (bathroom breaks, dinner prep, etc) as a result. Well, not this morning....we banged pans, shut doors, talked loudly, waiting, pleading for the kids to get up because we just couldn't wait to see their reactions any longer. When we finally couldn't take it anymore, we woke them up.....and then we felt bad (sort of).

Not a happy camper to have been woken up

But it was all worth it when we saw their sweet faces at the sight of what Santa had brought for them.

Gray went straight to his Batman train table where he has spent most of the last two weeks and Hayes just followed him diligently, waiting for her turn with each toy, quickly ignoring all of the princess costumes, pop-up books, and pink items, with only a brief hint of interest in her new baby doll.

Does this thing shoot or vroom? Not interested....

Conductor Gray busy with work

We had several shifts of Christmas that day, starting with my parents who were there to see the kids when they woke up.

Hayes trying on her new kitten boots

Pop trying to convince Hayes to play with her new Dora bath doll

Then Adam's parents came over and the kids had a blast tearing into the gifts all over again, as if they were the first of the day.

Hayes finally playing with something.....but it's Gray's of course

Lauren, Andrew and cousin Greer came later and it was so cute to see all three of the Patterson grandkids all together and enjoying each other.

Hayes and Greer admiring Super Gray's new cape

Hayes showing Greer how to use her new Leap Frog pot

After a much-needed nap for all four of us, we capped off the night with a yummy Christmas dinner at Lovie and Papa's with the Griesbecks, Oliviers, and Kirklands. We feel so blessed that our families get along so well and can enjoy the holidays all together.

Hayes and Greer getting all the attention

Patterson Family 2010

As if we didn't get enough Christmas over the last couple of days, we headed on over to the Griesbecks two days after Christmas to celebrate with the whole Garretty clan (or at least most of them). It was so much fun to see William, Andrew, Gray, Hayes, and Greer playing all together, but we missed Daniel's 3 boys and are looking forward to seeing them at the next family gathering. We were also excited to hear that Adam's cousin, Beth, and her husband, Bill, are expecting their first baby! Congrats to them on their first child! We can't wait to see him/her right in the mix with the rest of the Garretty kids!

Garretty cousins at Christmas

Hayes and Greer

The kids table at the Garretty Christmas

The last of the Christmas decorations are finally down and though our house looks empty, our hearts are full. We are thankful for a blessed holiday and the notion that we will be staying put for a while longer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The Pattersons

It's beginning to SMELL a lot like Christmas!

In true Christmas fashion, we've been baking....a lot. Truth be told, ANY baking in this house is a lot of baking since it is something I am pretty much terrible at it. Adam is the baker and I am the cook. That's how it works and we're good with it. But with the season in full force, I'm trying not to be a grinch...hence the baking. It started with cheese crispies for the neighbors (which actually turned out to be quite good, but I don't have any pictures to prove it) and since the Rice Krispies were already out.....well, I'm sure you know what happened next. And for clarification, they were supposed to be red, but who has that much food coloring? Sheesh!

Next, Gray, who was quite displeased with the store-bought gingerbread house that we made last week, saying it "tasted too hard" for him, insisted on another. I decided that while I was willing to make my own gingerbread, I was not, however, willing to make it from scratch. I went to four different stores trying to find a suitable mix and finally found one lonely box on the shelf. After tasting it, I'm really confused as to what all the fuss was about. But, it was exponentially better than the store-bought house so I guess it served its purpose.

Here are the pieces I baked to make the house.....

and here it is after we were done decorating it......

and here it is about 20 seconds afterwards. Such a sad, sad fate.

Our sweet friends, the Wrights, invited Gray and me over for a cookie swap and decorating party. Again, with me being a non-baker, this posed a problem. So, I went to my old friend Marci's tried and true ginger crinkle recipe, and couldn't believe how great they turned out! Maybe I am a baker after all!

Ginger Crinkles

(courtesy of Marci Woodmansee)

• 2/3 cup oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbl maple syrup
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger

1. Beat oil, sugar and egg together
2. Add maple syrup
3. Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger
4. Mix well and shape into balls
5. Roll in sugar (can add sprinkles to the top to make festive)
6. Cooke at 350 for 8-10 minutes (best if soft)

Baking aside, we've also had time to squeeze in a little Christmas fun. Adam took Gray to Vineyard Vines to see Santa where he got to play with his godbrothers, Campbell and Airey. We went to Winter Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop with Katie and her boys, Lewis and Cole. And Gray debuted in his first school Christmas program. But, we're not Christmas'd out yet! Christmas break is finally here and we are just revving up for our own merry little Christmas.

Gray with Santa at Vineyard Vines

Airey and Gray at Vineyard Vines

Gray singing in his first Christmas school program

Lewis, Cole, Hayes, and Gray at Winter Wonderland

Merry Christmas y'all!

The Pattersons

It's beginning to look ALOT like Christmas!

Since we were going to be at the beach for Thanksgiving this year and coming home right before the work week started, we decided to go ahead and decorate for Christmas a little early this year. By "we",  I mean Adam, and by "decided", I mean Adam started doing it against my will and there was no turning back. But, I will say that coming home from our trip to a fully Christmafied house was so nice and I am now eating my words as I admire our sweet house in all its glory.

 

 We had an amazing trip to Fort Morgan, AL with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law for Thanksgiving and spent the week swimming, eating great food, drinking good wine, and enjoying our family.

Pop's Crabmeat Au Gratin (Mal's favorite)

P's Shrimp Remoulade

We even fit in a few games of Dominos, some golf for the boys, and massages for the girls (plus Big) at the spa. Hayes got her first pedicure, Gray cozied up on a palette watching movies for half the trip, and Adam and I enjoyed watching the kids get spoiled by their P and Pop. We left with thankful hearts and full bellies.

Hayes' pretty toes

Right before I took the trophy

At P's request, we finally got Hayes' first haircut. It was bittersweet but she looks so cute now with her little bob. Like Gray, she was not the best customer...no surprises there.

Here's a door sign I did for a bridal ornament shower Linda was throwing.  It matched the invitation and the bride-to-be will hang it as a Christmas decoration in their new home! So fun!

 Gray has been wild as ever, largely I suspect  thanks to the massive amount of holiday sweets he's been consuming. It seems like every day there is a new fat-laden sweet in our house and he is plagued by the sweet tooth like his mommy and P and therefore cannot resist. The other day, after jumping on his bed for an hour during naptime, I went in to find him on his bed dressed (or at least attempting to have dressed) in Stan Keith's clothing. For those of you who don't know, Stan Keith is Adam's Cabbage Patch doll, circa 1983. 

cousin Greer with Stan Keith (for imagery purposes)

If that isn't funny enough for you, try picturing Gray with Stan Keith's headband around his forehead, his jersey on on arm, and his football pants all the way up his thigh. As mad as I was that he had not napped, I couldn't help but laugh at the site. What an imagination this one has!

Wearing Aunt Mal's boots

Fresh haircut and all smiles

We've spent the last few weeks getting into the Christmas spirit and we're having so much fun watching BOTH kids get into it this year. Oh, the joys of two toddlers! Bill, our elf, has been watching closely and I'm so thankful for the leverage this time of year provides! Gray is OBSESSED with Santa and even insists on dressing in all red, with boots on his feet and white socks on his hands (as gloves) to imitate him.

 Thanks to "Portable North Pole", Gray has already received a personal message from Santa and we even went to see the big fellow himself earlier this week at the Enchanted Forest. I think the highlight was watching Santa arrive at the Pink Palace in true VIP style....via helicopter! Gray is STILL talking about it and we had such a blast doing it with Aunt Lala, Uncle Andrew, Cousin Greer, Lovie, and Papa.

Greer, Hayes, and Gray in Santa's helicopter

Papa with Greer and Hayes

 We have baked gingerbread cookies with the kids, mailed our Christmas cards, made a gingerbread house, and had tons of fires to ward off this chilly weather.

Gray started eating it even before it was finished!

Yes, that's a batman gingerbread cookie!

 Now all we need is a visit from Santa in a few weeks! Stay tuned for a full report....