Jake in January

Jake is a perpetual mess! He had his first dentist appointment last Wednesday and it turns out two of his two-year-old molars are coming in, so we are hoping that is the reason for some of his recent behavior and that he will be a little bit less intense once the teeth are completely through. He still loves to play outside, and is very cuddly when he wants to be! He still has moments when he is my sweet little baby boy, but they seem to be few and far between these days. He has moments of jealousy, but overall he seems to be very keen on Mari. Last Wednesday night we went to pick them both up from the nursery at church and Jake and Mari were the only ones there. I asked where everyone else was as we were some of the first parents to leave the class. Apparently, all the other toddlers went to the gym to play with the older youth and one of the nursery workers, but Jake refused to go and leave his little sister. He still can count to 20, knows all his colors, all his letters and has now started 'reading' some small words (like am, in, etc).

Mari in January

Well, since it is halfway through February, I guess I need to FINALLY post these pictures from January. I decided to do a separate post of Jake and Mari pictures and then later I will post some pictures of them together. Mari is 12 weeks old now, although she technically won't be three months old until the 24th of February. She is a sweet baby. Having a little girl is so different! At her 2 month check-up she weighed 13 lbs and 6 oz and was 24 inches long, putting her at 95% on height and weight. Her head circumfrence is only in the 50-75%, but her head is longer and thinner, while Jake's huge noggin was and still is round! For comparison, at this age Jake was 18lbs, but then until he could crawl, all of his measurements were in the 95-105% range. After Jake became mobile, his weight didn't change much so his weight dropped down to the 50%, with his height and head circumfrence staying in the 97%. We are vaccinating Mari, but we are spreading the shots out instead of her getting them all at once. So far so good with the immunizations. She is a lot braver than her Mamma ever was with shots! She seems a lot more vocal than I remember Jake being. It isn't that she cries a lot, she likes to coo and talk to us which his great. She loves having her diaper changed and getting a bath. She smiles when she sees us and laughs at Jake's antics (she seems to think it is especially funny when he cries or gets punished). She hasn't really gotten much more hair since birth and her eyes are still blue!

A Sunday Afternoon Excursion on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Daddy turns 50!

On January 5th my dad turned 50 so we threw him a surprise birthday party at the Coffee House. Mama invited Daddy's family and some of his coworkers and I think he was really surprised. My grandparents drove up from Natchez for the party and to get to meet Mari for the first time. Below are my dad and his parents with Jake and Mari. My grandparents spent the night and the next day (Sunday) was my grandfather's 76th birthday so we went out to eat to celebrate before they headed back to Natchez.

Christmas 2007

Here are a few pictures from Christmas with James' family. I am afraid that I only have pictures to post of his family as we video taped Christmas with our family (James, Jake, Mari and myself) and then I was so involved with helping Jake unwrap presents at my parents house that I forgot to take many pictures. I have about five pictures, but I have my pajamas on in them and Jake is only half dressed. It is hard to take pictures of something when you are trying to participate in it as well. Maybe I will do a better job next year, or at least remind James to take pictures for me.

Above, Jake and his uncle John, below, Jake and his aunt Cheri.

Above James helps Jake figure out one of his Christmas Presents and below Jake tries out his new tractor.

Above is Jake and his dad's first cousin Emily, along with his Grandmother Carr and baby Mari. Below is James' uncle Phillip and his daughter Emily with baby Mari.

Cotton Plant

We read about this place in Union County and it was worth the drive. Next year, when Mari is older than a few weeks, we will get out and walk around. This year we just did the driving tour. It seems to be two or three neighbors that get together and put this on. It was free, but they were accepting donations towards their electric bill.

Below is the article we read:

10 things to do for 10 days till Christmas 12/13/2007 7:03:23 PM Michaela Morris

See the big lights at Cottonplant

If you love Christmas light displays, don't miss the extravaganza that is Cottonplant. Located near the Union-Tippah County line on Highway 15, Steven and Christy Paul have put together a winter wonderland featuring 170 inflatables, 70,000 lights and a computerized music light show.

Three years ago, they started with 15 inflatables.

"We decided, why don't we take this to a big scale," said Steven Paul, who started working on the new displays for this year in January.

The light display is free. Folks can have their pictures taken with Santa and the Grinch for $5. Cocoa and cookies available at Elf Cafe. (662) 266-1887 or www.mississippichristmas.com.

Drive-by lights

Hop in the car, break out the Christmas music and take a tour. Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started.

n In Pontotoc, check out the Simmons' house with dancing reindeer and candy canes. Take Highway 6 to Pontotoc. Get off at Longview exit and turn left toward Pontotoc. Look for the house on the right just after the flashing light at Veteran's Highway, or the old Highway 6.

n In Fulton, the Stubblefields have created an impressive display at their home. Take Fulton exit off U.S. 78. Turn left to go into Fulton. Turn right on Rogers Lane just past Senter Funeral Home.

n In Amory, practically the whole River Birch neighborhood gets into the holiday act. Take Highway 278 from Highway 45 towards Amory. The neighborhood is on the right on the west side of town. The theme is Reflections of Christmas.

Cookie time

Even if the weather outside is frightful, you feed the Christmas spirit inside by decorating cookies.

If you want a quick start on cookies to decorate, buy a tube of pre-made sugar cookie dough and roll it out to prepare for cutting shapes.

If you want something a little different, try this one:

Mint Brownie Trees
from Land of Lakes

BROWNIES

1 18.3 to 21-ounce package of brownie mix
1-2 cup butter, melted
1-4 cup water
2 eggs

FROSTING:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1-2 teaspoon peppermint extract
2-3 drops green food color
Decorator silver dragŽes, if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 15x10x1-inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil, extending foil over edges. Spray with no-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine all brownie ingredients in medium bowl; mix well. Spread batter into

prepared pan. Bake for 16-22 minutes or until brownie begins to pull away from sides of the pan. Do not overbake. Cool completely.

Carefully remove brownie from pan by lifting ends of foil; place onto large cutting board. Cut brownies lengthwise into 3 equal strips. Gently separate strips. Cut each strip into triangles, measuring 11-2 inches at the base.

Combine all frosting ingredients except silver dragŽes in small bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Place frosting in resealable plastic food bag. Cut a small tip from corner of good bag. Pipe frosting diagonally onto triangles to decorate. Place 1 silver dragŽe at top of tree if desired.

Toys of Christmas Past

While the kids are waiting to see what Santa will bring this year, the whole family can check out toys that have thrilled children from pioneer times to modern day. The Oren Dunn City Museum is hosting a vintage toy exhibit, including items on loan from Celia Fleishhacker and Louis Armour.

The price of admission - $3 adult; $2 senior; children free - also lets you check out the entire museum and grounds. Hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. Call 841-6438.

Wintertime treat

The BancorpSouth Arena will open its doors for ice skating from 1 to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23.

The $5 admission charge includes skate rental. Call 841-6528.

A play's the thing

Let Corinth Theatre-Arts get you in the holiday mood with its final performance of the classic "It's A Wonderful Life." The curtain goes up at 2 p.m. today at the Crossroads Playhouse. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children. 287-2995.

Big screen

Catch Jimmy Stewart at his best in the most popular Christmas movie ever. The Link Centre in Tupelo will present "It's A Wonderful Life" at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets are $6. Call 690-4011.

Small screen

Ready to stay home after all the holiday bustling? Have a family holiday movie night with cocoa and popcorn.

Here's a quick round-up of holiday favorites that will be on television between now and Christmas.

n If you missed the play and the Link Centre screening, catch "It's a Wonderful Life," the 1946 classic starring Jimmy Stewart at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve on NBC.

n "A Christmas Story" - The tale of Christmas in the 1950s and a little boy's desire for a Red Rider BB gun. The movie will run continuously on TBS from 7 p.m. Christmas Eve until 7 p.m. Christmas Day.

n "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"- The Dr. Seuss classic that reminds us that Christmas comes without presents and roast beast. The Cartoon Network will have it at 3 p.m. today and show it again on Tuesday , twice Friday and finally on Dec. 22. ABC will show the Grinch at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.

- "The Miracle on 34th Street" can be seen on the Retro movie channel on Thursday 24 and 25.

- "The Santa Clause" - that Tim Allen romp will be on the Disney Channel at 7 p.m. Wednesday and again at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve.

9. Cars and Carols - The Tupelo Automobile Museum will come alive with the sounds of the season from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults; children 12 and under free. Call 842-4242.

Friday's line up includes Kay Bain, Harrisburg Baptist Church Choir and First Baptist Church Plantersville Tinker Bells. Saturday's event will feature St. Luke Methodist Church Handbell Choir, Harrisburg Baptist Church Youth Choir and Monday Night Pickers.

10. Random acts of kindness - What better way to honor the reason for the season than by doing something nice for someone you don't know? You don't have to be rich like the late Bruce native Larry Stewart, who played Secret Santa around the country anonymously handing out $100 bills. Visit a nursing home. Buy an extra drink for a thirsty fellow shopper. Let someone in a rush get in line ahead of you at the check out. I'm sure you'll think of something good.

Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 12/16/2007, section D , page 1