Christmas Decorations

Norah decorated the house this morning. We have bows on knobs, pulls and all appliances. The door to her right is the trash. She said, "Look Daddy, now the trash is all beautiful." You go Norah, make the world's trash beautiful!

Christmas Treats

Here is our "cookie house." Before you get too awed, it came pre-assembled. We just made the icing (which you cannot eat because it's made with egg whites!! What?!) and decorated it.

My mom and I made Christmas cookies every year when I was young. It was one of my favorite traditions. Norah stuck out the whole process; she helped make every cookie. The thumbprints are my favorite. My Grandma Struck made me a whole tin full the Christmas before she passed away.

This fudge is much easier than the one my mom and I made. I chose it so we could do shapes and decorations.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Norah's 3rd Birthday

We had Norah's "Chuck E Cheese Princess Party" with "lots of friends" last night.

She had so much fun, and we were blessed to have so many friends and family members come!

Norah and I decorated the cupcakes. I didn't expect her to help me, but she really liked it.

I love Norah's sweet smile and Kyah's facial expression!

The kids

and adults had a good time!

Happy 3rd birthday Princess, Ballerina, Cinderella, Cooker and Our Little Girl!

Pillow Proud

I am so proud of this pillow! It is the first thing I have sewn. I started a sewing class last night, 6 -9 pm. I thought we were going to take all 4 weeks to make our pillows. The teacher laughed. We made them in one night. My family was SO sweet. Norah asked for one. Finley asked for three. I should get pretty good at making pillows. Any Christmas requests?

Norah made her bed

Norah made her bed for the 1st time this morning, and I didn't even ask her to! I must deserve some sort of Mom medal for this right? Probably not, especially if you look at the rest of my still-unpacking-unorganized-house. All the same, I am so proud of her, and it will remain all day, even the babies on the floor. Fin remined her to put them on the bed, and she informed him that there is simply "no room".

Going "bumpity bump"

Finley and Norah took a Sunday last month and went off-roading at an ATV park in Hot Springs. They had a great time! Norah thought it was funny that the leaves were "tickling" Daddy's truck.

Dance Class

Norah started dance class on Tuesday. Fin and I got to watch, and I was really impressed that they were learning real dance moves. All in all Norah did great, but at times, she was so funny. I wish I had a video of the teacher gracefuly pointing and tapping alternate toes while Norah's interpretation included bending her knee, grabbing her foot and bouncing.

Mother's Day is past

"It has been Mother's Day at the Vinson Blog for a while," Sarah McGooden recently told me with her normal Sarah-tine whit. So, I will attempt to update and get back on track. Thanks for your gentle proding, friend.
Things we have done this summer:

1. MOVED! Oh yes, I am still unpacking.

2. Finley recently resigned from DCI. He will be the Traffic Engineer for Conway.

3. Gone to our new neighborhood pool and Wild River Country (Norah loved both)

4. Norah moved seamlessly into a big-girl-bed

5. Erica got heat stroke.

6. Norah is getting so funny! Today, she followed me around Kroger singing, "I have decided to follow Mommy. I have decided to follow Mommy, No turning back, No turning back . . ."

Norah' new room

Our new backyard

Norah and Reagan in the creek by our new house

Mother's Day

I woke up first on Mother's Day. After Norah had been up for a while I asked Norah to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. She replied, "Naa, it's too scary." But I did get a Mother's Day dance and lots of cuddles, and the scary eventually wore off. : )
Thank you Finley and Norah for a wonderful Mother's Day.
I am so blessed to be your wife and mother!

Historic Arkansas Museum

I was so glad to see a friend at the fair who could take our picture.  And we should be having a dress-up picture coming!

Making a mother's day card.  She gave it a lot of time and care and made dots for the first time.

Norah got to pet a chick, goat, snake and baby alligator.  Yesterday, she told me, "Mommy, my love snakes."  So she was very excited to get to touch one!  Whose child is this?

We ate lunch at the RiverMarket.

Trip to the Zoo

I could not believe how long this grizzly bear's claws were or how much (s)he liked attention. After multiple passes, Norah decided that the bear was "no scary anymore" and let me get this picture.

Bella

Finley and I stayed up late watching a movie. Often when that happens, I regret the choice when the movie is over, and I look at the time. But not this time.

We watched Bella, a beautiful movie based on a true story. It was more like a good book than a lot of the movies we see, there was symbolism, foreshadowing and character development. And like all my favorite movies, I had to question things about myself and wrestle with God. I don't want to go into detail and give the movie away, but Finley and I both recommend it.

Tutu

Call for Appointments

Finley fell down the stairs a couple of weeks ago, then he fell again this weekend. Combined with the stress of redoing the house, he has had a stiff neck and back ever since. He is going to the chiropractor, massuse and getting many massages at home. Norah has starting rubbing Daddy's "back ouchie." This morning she enlarged her client base.

Chamomille

Norah has started drinking tea with me in the morning - Chamomille Lemon. Here is her first go. She even held the pose for me while I went to get the camera.

Big Mommy

This is "Big Mommy." If you squeeze her wing, she sings and jumps. We don't do that. Norah used to really like listening to Big Mommy, until Big Mommy fell and bumped her head while singing.

Norah calls any singular animal or person, "Mommy." I love it! I am honored to be so dear to her. If there is a second entity, it is Norah or Daddy, depending on size. And if there are three, we are all included.

To completely change gears:

Let me start with my defense. Norah has pneumonia, so we had Ramen noodles for lunch. Could there be anything more comforting or appeasing to an illness-induced picky eater?

I eat mine with chopsticks, using a twirling trick I learned from a college roommate. Norah wanted to use chopsticks. She quickly dropped one but was not deterred. She took many one noodle "bites" with one stick.

Being White in America

About a year ago Ben Parkinson of Fellowship Memphis gave a sermon called "Being White in America".  I recently listened to this sermon, and it has had a tremendous impact on me.  I encourage all followers of Christ to listen to it.  It is about one hour long.  Click here to listen.  I would also love to hear (or read) your comments.  Thank you so much.

Through Norah's Eyes

Norah looked at my wedding portrait the other day. She told me I looked pretty ("Mommy pretty") then commented that I had a "towel" on my head. I love getting to see things from her perspective.

And, my hcg levels are under 2!!

hcg

My hcg levels are at 23!!!

I go back next Monday.