Fun Times in the Church Nursery

My friend just sent me these pictures that she took on Sunday night while the kids were playing.
In the first picture, AC and Brennan are having a snack at their new picnic table.
While they were having a snack, we looked over and AC was sitting like this, starring at Brennan. Too sweet. Fortunately, my friend snapped the picture at just the right moment.

Tag...You're It!

I've been "tagged" to do a list of fives by my dear friend, Lindsay, and since she and her husband are responsible for Brad and I meeting, I owe her one (or two or three....)! Lindsay and I met while teaching at CCA and have been friends every since.

1. 5 things under 5$ I couldn't live without: M&M's, a Sonic Diet Coke, notepads from the dollar spot at Target, Pentel RSVP fine point pens, and Clorox Anywhere spray

2. 5 favorite movies: You've Got Mail, My Best Friend's Wedding, The Holiday, Rudy, August Rush

3. 5 favorite baby names I love: Anna Claire, Jack, Molly, Madeline, Blaise

4. 5 songs I love: "Let My Love Open The Door" Pete Townsend , "Bubbly" Colbie Caillat, "Love Song" Sara Bareilles, "Amazed" Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, "When You Say You Love Me" Josh Groban

5. 5 positive influences: Brad, Mom & Dad, Elizabeth, Lindsay, Katherine

6. 5 things always in my purse: phone, keys, wallet, hand sanitizer, snack for AC

7. 5 life changing moments: Receiving an acceptance letter from A&M, Graduating from A&M, meeting/marrying Brad, having Anna Claire, moving away from family

8. 5 current obsessions: cute clothes for AC, Kleinpeter ice cream, flip flops, friends' blogs, finding nursery workers for church

9. 5 places I want to go: back to NYC, England, somewhere in Canada, Nachitoches, LA (where Steel Magnolias was filmed), and Dallas to visit friends and family

10. 5 appliances or kitchen tools I could not live without: KitchenAid stand mixer, banana slicer, microwave, pink ceramic knife, cookie sheets/muffin tins

11. 5 people who I would like to see their top 5's: Elizabeth, Mom, Brandee, Robyn, and Katherine

Whew. I did it. You're welcome, Lindsay.

Note: this is the only game of tag you will ever see me play!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today has been a super special day! Anna Claire melts my heart daily, and today was no exception! She and her daddy made this a wonderful day! This morning, at the end of the service, Brad had the kids come in and deliever flowers to all the moms. When Anna Claire brought me a flower, I cried. Brad has been working extra hard to get her to say "I love you" and right now, we get "I O"...which works. We know what she's saying and that's all that matters. Being a mother to her is a pure joy! I am blessed beyond measure to call her my daughter. I've had incredible Godly role models in my own mother and grandmothers that I am able to look up to and long to emulate. I also had the opportunity to hang out with my mom while at Elizabeth's graduation. She's the most fabulous mom and an even more fabulous grandmother!
I'll leave you with a fun picture of my mom! We were in the hotel room, and Elizabeth was stressing about walking across the stage at graduation. She wanted everything to be perfect, so Mom decided she would show Elizabeth how to receive her diploma gracefully while smiling and posing for the camera.....here's what her idea looked like. Fortunately, Elizabeth didn't take her advice and walked across the stage with ease. Mom, I love you!

Howdy, Whoop, and Gig 'em

Anna Claire and I just got back from College Station, where we attended Elizabeth's graduation from Texas A&M! We were there for just a short time, but in true Etier form, we didn't stop the entire time!
We're trying to work on Anna Claire smiling for the camera....here are the results...



Entertaining an 18-month old in a hotel can be quite the adventure! I brought along all kinds of toys, but she was more interested in climbing in the empty cabinet under the sink, calling the front desk, and opening and closing all the doors and drawers.


And here's the happy graduate with equally happy parents! (Editor's note: Her degree is in Nutritional Science. Contact me if you would like her contact information to offer her a job) *Grin*

Mother's Day Is Fast Approaching...

Allergies are in full swing around here, and so AC has not been doing much that is photo worthy. Runny nose, itchy eyes...the works. So, until she's on the mend...go check out MyMomShops Blog and Parent Magazine's Blog and enter yourself in some fun drawings for Mother's Day. For each prize, you just have to post a comment and you're entered to win. Never hurts to try. If you win something, just remember who told you to enter! *grin*

A Slight Detour

Today, AC and I were in the bedroom getting ready, and she found a Ziploc. I asked her to go throw it in the trash, and off she went. I continued getting ready until I heard a happy little voice say, "Mama, Mama". I went in to the kitchen to find her sitting at the table, drinking my coke from lunch. Yes, she managed to climb up in the chair, take my cup from the table, and have a refreshing little drink while on her way to the trashcan! Needless to say, she was very proud of herself!

The New School Bus

Anna Claire is the proud new owner of a Little People school bus. Usually she rides it all over the house, but when we let her take it outside today, she wanted to push it. We walked over to the church parking lot, and she had the whole space to herself! She was a happy little girl!

And who needs a playground when you have the railing at the church entry?
Anna Claire noticed something in the sky that she had to stop and point out to us.
Ever wondered what an 18-month old keeps in the seat of her new school bus? Here you go....