Let's Catch Up!!

Its been a while so let's catch up before the holiday so the next post doesn't have to be an explosion! Lol!

HALLOWEEN 2013- THE DOC IS IN!

  Yes, that's my little Doc hitting the streets on Halloween this year! We only did "light" trick-or-treating in more ways than one in that we only went to about 5 houses and we did it during daylight. By that point, Brook already had 3 baskets full of candy from all the parties she had been to. We entertained a few trick-or-treaters before we left and when we got back too. I know this is going to sound Halloween Scrooge of me, but why in the heck do parents allow the kids to trick-or-treat so late?  I don't like to keep my porch light off so I turned it back on around 9 thinking surely we were done. However, I'll be dern if that dang doorbell didn't ring after I turned it back on!! Really??!!  You need to be in the bed chile!!! It's a school night!! Lol!

SUZY HOMEMAKER

What??!!! Yep you read that right---Suzy made a few cameos over the past few weeks. This first pic ain't nothin' but some good old fashioned tasty tender spicy turnip greens and yes I still use pork hamhock dagnabit!!  I served these sweeties with some baked chicken and some homemade Mac and cheese. None of that boxed stuff y'all!!  'Twas the bomb.com too if I must say so myself :-)

Last but not least, what you see in this next pic is Apple Dump Cake. It's a simple yet intricate pleasure that our cousins introduced us to. It gets served piping hot out of the oven and topped with homemade vanilla ice cream!! Definitely a "naughty" dessert as my co-worker Jenny would describe it :-). Now Jenny that's your cue to see if you read this post!

A GREAT TIME AT PAIGE'S

Brook and I were recently invited to my friend Paige's house to help celebrate her son's birthday. We were in for a definite treat which included a hayride, horse rides, and outdoor fireplace s'mores!! I'm not ashamed to admit that it was my very first hayride and my very first s'mores experience!! Plus, I was shocked and awed that my child actually rode the horse alongside the trailer for almost half the entire hayride time! We had a great time as we always do over to Paige's!

HAIR UPDATE

So here's the update on my hair---yes I relaxed it again but really I'd say I textiurized it more than anything. It's not bone straight unless I straighten it well. It's still pretty thin mostly because of poor nutrition but it's still growing like a weed. So, I still rely on my "helpers" to achieve whatever my desired look of the day is :-) here's a few recent pics:

STARTING A BAD HABIT

So proud that she's quiet and entertaining herself with a book!! However check out that pink item next to the book that she never goes anywhere without (her little princess cell phone)!! Cute, right? Until I realized she's imitating someone she loves and looks up to---her mommy!! Boy was that a gut check!

ELF ON THE SHELF COMES TO THE LORING HOUSEHOLD

Mama Pat insisted that the girls do Elf on the Shelf starting this year to the extent that she bought the kit for each household. On Thanksgiving night she schooled all the girls on the rules and it took them a while to go ahead and name these things. Finally the twins named theirs Izzy and Brook names hers Maddie. So, Maddie came home with us and made her debut this morning. What I'm going to say to follow tickles me to no end...Brook is scared of her...lol!! Well, she was. When she found her this am I think it really startled her because she sees it as some magical creature that's now in the house. The elf was in the bathroom and when Brook finally spotted her, she took off running! I guess the thought of that could be a little scary...lol! However, she's warmed up to it now and I hope I don't forget to put Maddie back out in the am!! 

ANNUAL HOLIDAY PHOTO SHOOT

Was a freakin' zoo!!! Portrait Innovations was absolutely bananas today!! However we had to make it work so we could get all 3 of the girls together for the pics. As usual, Mama Pat outdid herself with beautiful dresses and cute casual outfits for the girls. After waiting over an hr to take pics though, they were a little less than motivated and energetic for the entire session. We still got some good shots though and I really enjoyed spending the day with all my favorite ladies! Yes...the day! By the time we finally left we had been out there for almost 3 hours!!! Oh..and thank God for the Lego table!

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

I'm gonna take a chance and say I'm gonna start my Christmas list over these next few posts. Here was the first thing I asked for: The Complete Series of the TV show Amen!! Yes, I love 80's and 90's shows like that. This show always takes me back to eating fried catfish on Saturday nights while Mama cooked dinner for Sunday and pressed my and Brandi's hair!! It was this show, 227, and Showtime at the Apollo (with Sinbad hosting) that made our Saturday Night line up! Anyone else remember that?

Happy Holidays dear followers!! Ta-ta...for now :-)

OMG- Disney World!!

Recently, I had to travel for work to Orlando and I decided to take my little shadow with me. Since I was working, she'd need a companion and who better than Mama Pat to take Brook out on the town while I worked. On top of that, what else better for them to do than check out Disney World!! They had a blast (completely without me) however.... I'm not salty though...ok maybe just a little :) you will be too after you see these pics. Not only was this her first trip to Disney, but it was also her very first plane ride! One would assume it was mine though because I was the nervous one with every bump of the plane...lol! I would grab onto Mama's arm in panic saying, "What was that?!". Brook would look out of her window screaming "Whoa!! That was awesome!".  Oh well...better I be scared than she...lol!  Last but not least, I'm adding a few pics from my few flashes of "play time" I managed to have while I was there. I went to Universal Studios with my co-workers one evening and it was great! Highlight of the night- the Delorian and the train from Back to the Future!!! OMG!! I bout flipped out!! I had to get a pic next to it! I also managed to get a few pics with my co-worker gal pals and some new friends we made along the way! My post would be remiss without some sort of food shot and what you will see is the chicken and waffle sandwich from a restaurant in "Springfield" in Universal Studios which was basically like being where The Simpsons lived with restaurants and everything. Pretty cool! Sandwich though...I give it a C+. Enjoy the pics!

THE FIRST PLANE RIDE EXPERIENCE

DISNEY PICS

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Well I guess that's all for now. As much as I want to, I'll save the Halloween pics and update for next post and then MAYBE just MAYBE we'll be on the road to getting caught up :) Thanks for reading!

SMOOTH SAILING

Well....I'm titling this update as such because things are just rolling along nicely. Some really important stuff, some pretty normal stuff and you see it all here on Loring and Loving It...lol! Got some stuff to show you...wanna see it? Here it goes...

BROOKLYN'S FIRST TRIP TO DENTIST

  Yes, I know this was a to-do item while she was 3 but I was a little behind. My dentist assured me it was ok. So, I pitched a request to all my FB friends for a pediatric dentist recommendation.  I decided to go with Dr. Friend in NLR and I was very pleased.  This office had big shoes to fill in my mind as my days at the dentist as a child are memories of Bippo the Hippo and that huge Twinkie and toothbrush he used to carry around, a movie room with layered level seating, and headphones at each dentist chair to listen to music.  My have times changed since then!  Brooklyn enjoyed the entire experience filled with a train ride in the waiting room, Doc McStuffins playing overhead her dentist chair, and a treasure chest to pick toys from on the way out!  PLUS, we had no cavities...so I'd say we're right on schedule :)

GNO WITH MY 2 BESTIES

  It's always a treat for me when I can have a little GNO with my girlfriends just the grown ups. However it's even more special when any of my friends can willingly incorporate my little shadow into the mix. That's what BFFs are good for and Brooklyn loves her some Miss Cher--ryl!! That's exactly how she says it...lol! 

KID SWAP DELUXE

  Kid swap has gotten supersized here recently with the addition of my two little divas on their recent visits in town. One weekend we were at Mama Pat's and this past we were at our house. They ate and played and ran and giggled and bossed and sang....then they did it over and over again. Note the last pic that shows the havoc they wreaked on Brook's room last night...geez!!

FUN TIMES AT FUNLAND

Brook recently attended a friend's birthday party at Funland in Burns Park and she had such a blast! It was so fun seeing how excited all the kids were each time another one of them showed up as if they didn't know each other existed outside of school. When it was time to ride rides, it was also funny to see how fast they took off together to ride the rides...lol!  The crazy part of the day was when we were finally about to leave and all the park employees announced no one could leave because a child was missing and the police were on their way. All the rides shut down and we were all confined to the party pavilion as several of the employees took to the woods to find the missing child. About 15 min later,  it was announced we could go because they found the child at the playground across the street!! Oh Lord! My heart sank for the mother as we awaited search news originally... But when we got that update, I wanted to go hand deliver correction to that child for that mother myself (if you know what I mean...wow)

ARKANSAS STATE FAIR 2013

Now that Brook actually enjoys riding rides, the fair is an entirely different experience! She had a blast BOTH times we went this year! Yes, we went twice-once with her Daddy and once with Mama Pat, Papa, Aubrey, and Presley. My favorite food item this year---that doggone roasted corn on the cob dipped in melted butter and sprinkled with lemon pepper....OMG!!!!

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE EFFECT THE FAIR HAS ON CHILDREN!!

BROOKLYN AND MOMMY ❤ BENIHANA

NEW THANGS...LOL

She's growing up so fast! At the last pediatric check-up, Brook was cleared to advance to a booster seat with back attached until she reaches 40lbs. She was so excited about her new big girl seat!!! Once she learns how to put that seat belt on herself, Mommy will be excited too...lol!

JR HAIR UPDATE

You get a bonus hair section this time. Now that Brook has a head full of hair, figured I'd display some of her styles too. These pics are my shot at doing some twists on her hair. She only wore the back down the first day because they were going every which way after she slept on them. So, I pulled them into 3 ponytails for the rest of the week. She looked really cute and it was super easy to maintain. Check out the dome cap pick as she tried to get a cookie out of the cookie jar...lol!

SR HAIR UPDATE

So, remember me talking about bleaching the knots on the lace wig to make it more natural looking? Well, here's the final result of that:

Last but not least, here is a pic of the crochet twists I wore again recently. I get so many compliments on those things and people ask me to do them on their hair or their kids'. Nice to know I'd have myself a little side hustle if I ever needed it...lol!

Well my dear readers, I'll leave you with a glass that made me literally laugh out loud as we approach the Halloween holiday and a pic I saw on IG that made me think of friends and even a few family members :)  

Ta-ta for now ...