New Sesame Street Character

Of course you know Elmo, but meet the latest addition to The Street family....Blue Elmo. It's a big decision in this house whether to wear Elmo or Blue Elmo.

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Hangin' with the Upper Crust

You know us Ingersolls, only the best.

So, naturally, a huge celebrity was also vacationing at our resort in Phoenix.

And really, I don't think my kids could have been more excited. I am not a Sponge Bob fan. In fact, I've just now started letting JR watch him every so often. And just as my mom didn't let me watch Facts of Life, (nobody in the universe could have been cooler to me than Blair, Jo, Natalie, and Tootie) not letting my kids watch Sponge Bob has, of course, made Sponge Bob the biggest superstar walking the face of the earth. The babies even know him (how, I have no idea) and as soon as they saw him started screaming ,"Bob-Bob! Bob-Bob!" Much to the kids' delight we saw a lot of Sponge Bob this trip. He was a bit like the Pied Piper of the water park, and had a huge following everywhere he went (glad mine aren't the only ones obsessed). Yep, hanging with celebrities. Just another day.

This next picture just cracks me up. Check out how seriously the "Fun Director" (AKA: Sponge Bob's security detail) is taking his job.

Kate Gosselin Would Have a Heart Attack

As we were eating lunch at one of the restaurants in town today I couldn't help but think...What would Kate Gosselin do? If you ever saw the episode where they went to the Crayola factory then you know. She would freak out, jerk the markers away from the kids, and not let them color in fear *gasp* stains might get on their clothes.

And as much as I

A. couldn't believe a restaurant would give 2 year olds (or any kids for that matter) markers

and

B. worried that with the slightest turn of my head the restaurant would have a new mural on their wall,

really enjoyed seeing how much fun Kyle and Reed had coloring. Sure their hands, face, and eventually their hamburger buns were covered in green and blue, but it says "washable" and "nontoxic" right on the markers. The way I see it, we're not at home for me to clean it up...Go to town, Boys!

And Kate, Sweetheart, you really should stay away from Olde Tymers on Main Street in Durango. Just a warning.

Thanks Larry

After our space trip yesterday we drove on down to Galveston, and spent today at Schlitterbahn. I was planning on providing a full report, but instead I'm sitting here in the hotel watching the Michael and Farrah coverage. Since there's not a person in my age group that doesn't know the lyrics to Thriller or didn't want Farrah Hair (sadly, I think Jason had better Farrah Hair than I did) I think I'll save Schlitterbahn until tomorrow. Larry King has already talked to Celine and Cher...can't wait to see who's next!

Pretty Platy-Purfect

JR has started to draw more lately (markers only...I'm guessing crayons are too girly for him). And left to his own devices, you pretty much have to guess (and ask) what he's drawn. But if you sit with him and help, he's not bad. And when I say "help" it's really more about talking him through it. Tell him to go draw a picture of himself and he winds up looking like a scary alien. But if I sit with him and say, "Now draw a circle for your head, give yourself two eyes..." it's amazing the difference. Today as I was fixing lunch he said, "I'm going to draw Perry The Platypus." (For those of you who don't have kids: Disney Channel has a cartoon called Phineas and Ferb. It's actually really funny, and Perry The Platypus is their pet who also doubles a secret agent.) Since I was getting lunch ready, I fully expected Perry The Platypus to look more like an octopus. So you can imagine my shock when JR drew him pretty spot on (for a 6 year old anyway). He kept saying, "Now Mommy, This is Perry The Platypus in pet form." As apposed to Perry the Platypus when he wears a hat and becomes a secret agent. So here's JR's Perry (in pet form) along with the real Perry (in pet form)...Sure JR's version is sporting an octopus's 8 legs, but he remembered those platypus 3 tufts of hair!

This IS....American Idol!

I was watching American Idol last night and for some reason they edited the babies out of last night's show. I'm not sure what the producers were thinking...but luckily I have a copy of the edited bits...Check it out below:

Can you see me? Go get me another box to stand on! It's in my contract that I'm not going to be shorter than the girls this season. What? We're on....

It's all come down to this America. The fate of these contestants rests in your hands.

I'm Ryan Seacrest and THIS is American Idol!

Let's give it up for our first contestant: Reed Ingersoll

Dude! Reed! That was the bomb! That's what I'm talkin' about! You killed it, Dawg! That was even better than when I was workin' with Mariah, dude! Reed Ingersoll in da house, Y'all!

Reed, did you know that I am a singer/songwriter, myself? Yeah, lots of people don't know who I am. I can sing right now if you want me to. Doesn't my hair look great tonight? And I seem so much more knowledgeable than Paula, don't I? Nice job, Reed. Really nice job.

Reed. I love you. I just want to pick you up and squeeze you and hug you. And when I do then everybody will be able to see my new jewelery I'm wearing that's available now on QVC! Ummm, my cup is empty, I'm gonna need a refill!

Reed, if I'm being perfectly honest, it wasn't half bad. There's something about you I like. Now, I'm not saying it was fantastic, but it certainly wasn't a train wreck...much like the crazy sitting next to me.

(Keep reading for Kyle's debut...)

This IS.... American Idol-Part 2

Seacrest back with you on American Idol. So what do you think? Think I should go back to the flat iron and highlights? Alright, so lets move on to our next contestant: Kyle Ingersoll

Yo, Yo, Yo! What's goin' down Kyle Dawg? Ehhhhh, I don't know...It was just alright for me ya know? Ya know? I just don't know if I was feelin' it? You can sing, Dawg, you can sing. I just don't know if that was your best performance for me...At this stage you gotta bring it. Ya know, Dawg?

Oh! Am I supposed to talk? I thought I was just supposed to sit here and show how fabulous my hair looks. That and make sure Paula doesn't fall out of her chair. Um, okay...Yes, Kyle, I agree with Randy. You can sing. And I hope the audience gives you another chance to show us what you're all about. Paula?

Ummmm! Can somebody bring me a Viocidin? and an Adderall ? Why is there water in my glass? You think I can chase these pills with water?!Vodka! Stat! Oh, Kyle Sweetheart, That was just wonderful. It melted my heart. I have two words with a semicolon and a hyphen for you: Sold Out Arenas!

Well, I don't mean to be rude, but let's come back to reality here, shall we? I mean, it was atroshish . What was that whole middle part where you jumped around on the couch like a mad man. I think America is going to agree with me on this one. It was quite like a child putting on a show at home.

Thanks for Ruining It for the Rest of Us!

I'm so angry at the "supermom" right now I can hardly see straight. As, you've probably heard some crazy woman had sextuplets and ran a marathon right after the babies turned one. Oh but it gets better, she also went into cardiac arrest and almost died after the delivery. She said she was lying in bed and couldn't imagine ever being able to run again. Are you kidding me? My babies are 5 months old and I have yet to dream of going out for a run. How are the rest of us non-supermoms supposed to live up to this? I was planning on milking this twin thing for as long as possible. I even had my standard answer I was going to give worked up, "I'd love to help with (fill in blank with anything somebody has asked me to volunteer at, work, or supervise) but it's just so hard to get out with the twins; having two of them really eats up all of my time." Now people can come back at me with, "Oh, I see...did you hear about the lady that ran a marathon who had sextuplets?"
The family was on the Today show and Meredith Viera asked her when she found time to run and she said something like...Oh, they're really good sleepers. We put them down at 7:00 and I go out and run for 2 hours... Well, that's just super. My babies (and yes, I have 4 less than you do, lady) don't go down until 9:00 or 9:30, and if I was to start running that would really cut into my So You Think You Can Dance watching time. So, thanks a lot Supermom. I'm sure you'll be getting your own reality show....and no, I will not be watching you. I'm stickin' with Jon and Kate. All Kate ever does is get her hair highlighted, go to the spa, and complain about how tired she is. Now those are standards I can live up to! Kate, YOU are MY supermom!

4/8/08

Isn't my new banner cute? Allison made it for me. Any changes you see in my banner in the future, just know that Allison is the creative mind behind it. The babies had another good night last night....they slept til 4:15. Woo-hoo! I have them on a 3 1/2 hour schedule now that they are 3 months. I know it's only an extra 30 minutes, but I feel like I have all the time in the world between feedings.
I have a funny JR story to share today. On his way to bed last night he wandered through our room. The TV was on, and since it was 8:00 PM on Monday night it was tuned to TLC for our favorite show Jon and Kate Plus 8. Now I know I've blogged about this show before, but I just have too again. JR was drawn to the TV like a moth to a flame. He screamed, "Mommy, 'The Bad Kid Show' is on!" He jumped on our bed, started watching, and was mesmerized. I don't think I could have forced him to bed if I tried. What's funny is JR doesn't like ANY television shows that aren't cartoons. In fact, any TV show that doesn't have cartoon characters he calls an "Adult Show". He hasn't watched "The Bad Kid Show" that many times, but he already knows all the kids' names. I still get confused on which one is which since they are part Korean, but of course JR has no problem telling them apart. He was giving me the play-by-play on the show during the commercials. "Mommy, It's Lex-us (Alexis) and Toll-in's (Collin) days." (The parents are trying to take each kid out individually and spend some time with them.) This really upset JR because the kids were being really good since they were one-on-one with their parents. But then, hallelujah, they cut to poor Aunt Jodie's house where she is babysitting the 7 other kids. JR really perked up then. JR, in a very serious and animated voice : "Mommy, Madeline hit and punched and kicked Aden. Then she shoved Hannah and threw the stroller!" Cue my time to talk about how she is really bad and we don't do those things, and she is going to get in a lot of trouble. Later in the show, they show the kids "napping". This consists of the kids running around the room with covers on their heads and them jumping on, off, and across the beds. JR then discusses with me how bad these kids are being when they should be napping, and how he, perfect JR, lays down quietly and doesn't talk during nap time at school. (That part is actually true because they don't get to watch a movie on Friday during nap time if they aren't quiet the rest of the week). So, Jon and Kate, yet again, thank you for your show! It is an invaluable teaching tool in proper behavior for a 4 year old.

Super Annoying Tuesday

If you've turned on the TV in the last month you are certainly aware that it is Super Tuesday here in Texas. I'm so excited that today is finally here because I'm almost certain that the annoying commercials for the candidate that thinks he's a rock star and Hillary will stop! Those of you who aren't living in Texas at the moment, let me assure you there are no other commercials on the television. I am being force fed democratic candidacy 24-7. Oh, I think I've seen one commercial for my guy Mike Hukabee, one for Ron Paul, and I've never even seen one for my guy after Mike Hukabee drops out, John McCain. All you Texans out there can back me up; there are NO other commercials on TV or radio than Hillary and the other guy. I would LOVE to see Mattress Mack jumping up and down wanting to "save me money". I would LOVE to see the annoying daughter from the DeMontrond Auto Group trying to be a television personality (that girl really has no business being on TV). And oh how I miss those Sonic commercials with the husband and wife...How am I supposed to know what new fabulous and fattening thing Sonic is offering this week?! So, Super Tuesday, I'm so glad you're here...and I can't wait for you to be over. And finally...the first, last, and only time I'll ever say this in my entire life.... Go Hillary!

Jason's Out of Town- We All Fall Apart

Look at these sweet little faces....


Do these look like the faces of babies who have cried all night and day? If you guessed "Yes" then
congratulations...You're Right! The nonstop crying started at the 3 AM feeding this morning. Reed actually went back to sleep for awhile, but Kyle never did. After I had watched the 3:30 and 4:00AM showing of The Andy Griffith Show with Kyle in my arms not asleep, I knew it was not a good sign. (On a side note, my mom's favorite TV show of all time is Andy Griffith, and the episodes I watched last night, were actually funny.) At 4:30 both babies went into the crib, and let's just say, it was not good. When their 6 AM feeding rolled around they both acted like they were just going to take 2 sips and fall asleep. I actually said out loud to them, "Oh No You Don't!" They did sleep this morning after 6, but have both been awake all day since 11. My mom and I are both just worn out from holding them.

On top of all that, right before JR was getting out of school I got a call from his teacher. Every time I see "Spring Branch ISD" on the Caller ID my heart races in fear of what JR has done to somebody. But poor JR had gotten his thumb slammed in the classroom door. He had gone to the nurse and was still crying when his teacher called me. He came off the bus so pitiful looking with his bag of ice on his thumb. His thumb does have a red mark on the nail where the door hit him. He wanted "medicine and a bandage" from me, and those seem to have made him feel better. (I wasn't sure what "medicine" I was supposed to put on it. My mom suggested just rubbing some lotion on it, but I grabbed the Neosporin out of habit.)

Then, to wrap it all up, I burned myself on the hot glue gun while trying to glue a decorative Easter bunny back together. I'm actually still hurting, and if Jason was here I would have probably thrown myself on the floor and screamed just to show off. He always says I'm like the professional basketball players who pretend their hurt when trying to foul somebody. What a day indeed!

JR- Decorator Extraordinaire

Yes, My JR who loves to hunt, do karate, and generally terrorize others, also loves to decorate. I'm sure Jason blames this on my nonstop watching of HGTV and my favorite show Project Runway (Don't you just love Christian? He's so fierce!) I've quit watching local network television, as I cannot stand to look at a certain someone that's running for president's face anymore (I'm actually starting to feel sorry for Hillary). Anyway, We were in Hobby Lobby today and JR tried to convince my parents to buy him every St. Patrick's Day and Easter decoration in the store. Luckily, we just left with some shamrocks that stick on your windows. I promised him we would get out our Easter decorations when we got home. And the second we walked in the door he was starting to decorate. He got really excited when he and my dad put out our Easter Bunny yard art. JR had never seen it before since we were already living in China his first Easter, and last Easter we were still living in our apartment. When we got out the yard art eggs, we saw that I had decorated them with my name, Jason's name, and the dog's names. JR thought it would be a great idea if each egg had one of the kid's names on them. He insisted that we leave immediately to buy some paint so we could fix the eggs. The eggs are now in the process of being painted, and I will keep you updated on their progress...because this is very exciting stuff around here!

Jason and Jan Plus 3

How many of you out there watch Jon and Kate Plus 8 ? If you don't you must check it out on TLC on Monday nights or on Discovery Health. (Quick overview, a couple has twins then 4 years later they have sextuplets and it's a "reality" show of their lives) Jason and I love watching it just to make fun of Jon and Kate and JR even watches it. He says, "Mommy I want to watch The Bad Kid Show." I use this show to teach JR how not to behave. The kids scream, cry, and hit constantly. I can handle the 3-year olds crying, but one of the 7-year-old twins cries nonstop and she drives me crazy. Kate is totally controlling and tells Jon what to do, how to do it, and how it should be done. Poor Jon is just a beat down shell of a man who looks miserable at all times. Kate complains all the time about how exhausted she is (even though she has a maid, babysitter, and people who fold and put away her laundry, not to mention a TV show that gives them toys, clothes, and trips as product placements) Anyway, all that to say that Kate once said something to the effect that everyday was excruciatingly the same, yet completely different. It hit me last night that I know exactly what she meant. With the little boys eating every 3 hours our schedule is pretty rigid. I know each day we'll go through 16 bottles, at least 16 diapers, Kyle will scream part of the night, and I'll have laundry to wash and fold. Yet, seems like something new pops up each day too. Like right now, I'm typing this with Reed lying across my lap asleep. He has decided that he has not been getting enough Mommy Time...If I haven't been holding him today, he's been crying. Also this morning, JR and I were waiting for the bus on the porch when he started doing the bathroom dance. Thank goodness for boys...he went right there off the porch, but as he was going, the bus pulled up. Poor thing, he was jumping and flailing and trying to get his pants pulled up and run to the bus at the same time. It was hilarious! So, sure things can get monotonous around here, but there's always something new and exciting just around the corner!