The end of an era....

It all started last Friday, when Tess wanted to have her dinner standing in the Learning Tower while I prepared dinner for Hubby and I.

I figured it was a Friday and since I am wild and crazy like that, standing and eating at the counter would be fun for the little missy.


Then yesterday morning I told her to go to her high chair for breakfast. As I went to put her in the high chair, she crossed her arms, glared at me and said, "NO!"

So off to Wal-Mart we went. And made the below purchase.


And she could not be any prouder of her pink booster seat. P.R.O.U.D. In fact, she has crawled up in it even when it isn't meal time.

So I bid a sweet and sad farewell to the beautiful high chair that I so lovingly painted and distressed. You will no longer be needed in the Coco household. You will be heading to Allen, Texas, where you will be loved and cherished by baby Elaine and your Auntie KellKell.

I love you sweet, high chair. And thank you for the past 4 years of holding my babies as they ate!

Boo-hoo.

In a blur....

We had a great weekend, but I have to say....I think I was more tired last night than I have ever been in my whole life.

Momma has to have her sleep. I get at least 8 hours a night and if I get less than that several nights in a row. It's not good people.

Not good at all.

Tamale King was awesome, I love my friends! We had a great time, a few 'ritas and a greasy chili relleno for me.

I came home at midnight and went straight to "sleep."

Saturday was spent baking two cakes for a bake sale. Mandarin orange cake and chocolate brownies. Then I packed for the family. Then I got everyone dressed and looking presentable, since we were pulling straight into Ft.Worth and heading to the birthday party. Then I realized Tess' shoes were too small and I had not yet purchased Bailey's birthday party. Then we loaded up the car, and headed to the square to drop off my baked goods, then I stopped to buy the birthday present (Chinese checkers and an "I Spy" book.) Then I found a DARLING pair of hot pink squeaky tennies for Tess. Got back in the car and headed out of town. Then I realized Tess' newly purchased shoes were WAY too big. We turned around, I ran back in and exchanged for a smaller size. THEN we headed out of town. Again.

Got to party, super fun. Headed to Jill and Richard's. Fed the kids. Put Tess down for the night. Sat outside ate pizza and drank wine. 10 o'clock, Tess woke up with her eczema totally flared up. Bad. Spent the next two hours keeping her comfy. Went back to bed. 2 o'clock, Bram woke up with a wicked croupy sounding cough. I panicked, got dressed and was going to head to Cook's Children's emergency room. Luckily, Hubby is the voice of reason at our house (even quite tipsy). He calmed Bram (and me) down. Hubby went and laid down with Bram. They both fall fast asleep, no more coughing.
Tess gets in the guest bed with me. Falls out of guest bed. Twice. Tess has never slept with me. EVER. Tess doesn't sleep well with Mommy. Mommy doesn't sleep well with Tess. Then I get settled. Lay there, convinced Bram isn't breathing. Go into guest room to check breathing and pulse. Bram is SO asleep, that I can't tell if Bram is breathing. I hold his nose. He stirs. He is alive and soundly sleeping.
5 o'clock I fall asleep. 7 o'clock, Tess is up and Adam. Yippee.

Hubby is too hungover to drive home (he stayed up with Richard while I was handling kid situation). I drive home, family sleeps.

Get home and unpack. My goodies from Allison arrive. VERY HAPPY!!!! Pictures will soon follow. With new goodies, my OCD kicks in and I start to decorate.

Feed kids, bath kids, put kids to bed. Make homemade spaghetti for me and the Hubs. Sauce from scratch. Hot garlic bread.

Take two Simply Sleep, one glass of Shiraz. In bed at 9. Asleep by 9:02. Wake at 8.

Coco is a new woman this morning!

Random picture Friday....

Lots going on in Cocoland. Last night, I went to the PTO's "Bunco Blitz." It was 150 women all playing Bunco for 2 hours. It was actually quite fun. But DAAAAMMMMNNNNN, some of those women took it SO seriously.

I was convinced there for awhile I was on "Candid Camera."

Looking back, they probably thought I was the nutso one, since I kept looking around for the hidden camera. Reapplying lipstick and fluffing my hair.

Just in case I would have my 15 minutes of fame. Sad for these ladies that they were for real and I am not a T.V. star.

In true Coco form, I ended up winning all four of the silent auction items I signed my name on. How the hell does that happen? My friend Kelly signed her name on three and didn't win a damn thing!!!

Oh well, I got a $100 basket of cute candy and fun little toys that I will stash away and bust out for Easter basket goodness. I also "won" a darling leopard print rug that I get monogrammed for free, a great frame that looks great in my kitchen, and a cute wine glass and cocktail recipe book. And it is all for the sake of fundraising and my children's future educational purposes. Right? Right?

But I need y'alls opinion. I am going to have the rug monogrammed and plan on putting it in front of my kitchen sink (the one I have there is 3 years old and has seen better days). Just deciding what to have monogrammed on it is proving quite difficult.

Do I want:
a) Mommy
b) Coco
c) our last name

Hmmmm, my life is so difficult. This right now is my biggest decision. Not a bad gig being Coco.

Anyhoo, tonight is Tamale King with my girls. So that means, sangria swirl margaritas, super greasy Mexican food, and lots of fun with my three besties.

Then tomorrow, we are off to Fort Worth (can a get a "holla!") for my godson's 6th birthday. Fun.

What sucks is that it will be 54 freaking degrees in Cowtown. That means my cute outfit, as well as Tess' cute outfit, that has been planned for an oddly long time, will not work. But that is fine, I will work it out. I can rise to the challenge I am sure. And again, if this is one of my biggest challenges. I am lucky.

OK, now for random pics taken this week of my weird kids.


Bram decided on this look at dinner the other night. He is wearing undies, they are tighty whiteys and for some reason, they crack me up. So, his dinnerwear this evening was a tiny pink bib, tighty whiteys with one camo crock and one neon green crock.

And the boy totally rocked the look.


Here are the kid's Easter baskets. I love them. I can't wait to fill them. Errrrr, I can't wait for the Easter bunny to come and fill them.

And you can just go ahead and call me an enabler. I know it. Bram having a paci until puberty and now this. My 18 month old is addicted to her morning bottle and her night bottle. Oh, and her paci.

I am creating monsters. And can't seem to stop.

Hope everyone has a rocking weekend!!!!!

I've just decided....

If I had another little girl, I would name her, Delilah.

That's all.

Carry on.

HOLY HAIL!!

We had one hail of a hail storm yesterday!!! (That was very witty. No?)

Anyhoo, the above picture is not snow. It is hail from yesterday's storm. Our whole neighborhood looked like a winter wonderland.

And I must add, I was scared shitless.

I tend to be a touch dramatic. So, when Hubby had us hunker down in the tiny coat closet, it was all I could do not to scream, "LORD HELP US, DON'T LET US DIE!!!!"

But I am a responsible mother now, and had my kids and dignity to think about. Tess was unusually still and just laid on me, not moving a muscle. I made Bram hold onto my legs as tightly as possible. Why you ask? I just kept thinking of those terrible stories where the wind rips a child from his mother's arms. Told you I was dramatic.

Hubby stood outside the closet to listen to the news and watch the storm come in. As it did, I seriously thought it was the tornado that the news was predicting. It was the loudest sound I have ever heard.

Then it ended as quickly as it began.

And I was VERY relieved. Tess only had on a diaper. And I just knew our house was going to fall down around us and I was going to be the white trash mother holding a ravioli stained toddler wearing nothing but a diaper.

Whew! That was a close call.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens......

Here are a few of my favorite things.....

Fun hair bows and clips that I can FINALLY put in Miss Tess' hair. It is becoming an obsession.


My Christmas card display that I keep up all year. It makes me happy. I just redid it with clothespins and cute ribbon. It used to just be on a corkboard.

My chenille chicken and rooster.

My new "NEST" letters. I revamped above my cabinets, and found these on Etsy.

My new little sign for my kitchen, another etsy find. I am not a sign girl really, but couldn't pass up on this cuteness. It sits next to the bar, above my pig. Coincidence?

I think not.

And of course, Brammy, Tess, and Hubby are my MOST favorite of things. But right now I am loving these goodies in my house.

Please pat me on the back...

I went to Austin today to help a girlfriend shop for a dress for a wedding.

I was in Nordstrom's. I was touching Tory Birch shoes that I love. I was touching a Nanette Lapore dress that I adore. I tried on a DKNY dress that looked fabulous.

I only bought Easter dishtowels at Williams Sonoma. $16.


And in Cocoland, that is what we call making progress.

She was LOVIN' it, and new park rules

Last night my girlfriends and I decided on an impromptu picnic at the park. We all met up, kids and husbands in tow, armed with Golden Chick and iced tea.

We were there for TWO HOURS! It was a lot of fun and Tess seriously thinks she is such a big girl now. So weird to see her climbing the slide (me behind her of course) and chasing the big kids around.

Here is a picture of the kid crew, between the four moms there are 9 kiddos, 5 and under.

Can you say, "fertile?"



They look a little like rag-a-muffins in this picture. This was as the evening was winding down. Notice Bram doesn't even have his shoes on. Gross.

And this picture is just pure funny. The expression on her face had us all rolling for the better part of an hour.

The thing is, she isn't scared. She did the slide 40 times and each time down she had this hilarious freaked out facial expression.

I am laughing as I write this.

On a side note, when you are a patron of a public park, please follow these rules:

1) Keep your pit bull at home. Yes, we know your pit bull is "gentle" and wouldn't hurt a fly. BUT I don't want my 3 year old being the first, "I don't know what happened, it just attacked for no reason. It has never even growled before, much less mawl a kid!" incident.

2) Please keep you 5 year old out of my picnic. I don't mind giving a cookie or a chicken strip to a hungry child, really I don't. But I have a feeling you were hiding behind a tree somewhere watching your kid mooch off of several picnic tables, so you wouldn't have to prepare dinner when you got home.

3) Keep your shirt on. It isn't August in Texas, and as far as I could tell you weren't mowing or doing any sort of lawn work on the park grounds. Just keep it on. Nobody wants to see a 400 lb man with his shirt off. Unless you are married to it and that is just your bad luck and duty.

4) Try not to smoke cigarettes in or around playground area. This needs no explaining.

Thanks for following Coco's rules of the park. Please come again.

Picture Day was fun.

This is what I dealt with on our way out the door to get our Spring portraits done. Awesome.

For some reason Miss Tess decided to only take a 45 minute nap, so her spirits were just great as we were getting dressed and such.

The above temper tantrum was due to the fact that I would not let her play with a bottle of Windex.

Mean Mommy!

Luckily, she perked right up when the camera came out. All the pics were taken outside so she had a ball. Bram kept the tradition of the weird, constipated, fake smile so those will be interesting. Handsome little devil.

Have y'all noticed the size of the bows getting bigger and bigger?

Does this happen to you?

Why oh why does my gorgeous baby girl get a black eye the day before we have Spring portraits made?

Really?

Nothing major, just a little ass whippin' from a swing.

While I was holding her hand.

Looking right at her.

Watched it happen.

Time for a Ruby Red Slipper.

Random Friday Photos & other super funny stuff....

Crazy week, wild week, tons of kids week, new adult bev week, new soup recipe week, picking strawberries week, first time in the sprinkler week, sunny warm week, popsicles on the porch week, potting new plants week, Bunko week, Spring Break week, and Mommy finally sitting down this week and it is Friday week!

Let's get on with the buttload of pictures that you totally won't care about unless you are a family member. But you should because my kids are precious.


Trying my hardest to get a pic with both kids.

Didn't happen.

Tess LOVED the goats at the strawberry patch. She just kept on barking at them.

Barking? You ask.

Yes, we are working on our animal signs.

She's really pretty.

Tess watching the boys pickin' berries.

Alex came in from Dallas to hang out with us. We love having him here. Thet are ready to start picking.

Yummy, juicy berries. Bram kept eating them as he picked. So he basically stole a bunch of strawberries.

Such determination. Such skill.

Cakeballs! My friend Maren's husband makes these gorgeous cakeballs. YUM.

Maren and Alex leave AND Lacey, Hank and Chase come. Fun! Here are all the kiddos on the Gator. It was hilarious watching them driving around.

Chase giving his "mean" look. Spiderman outfit, check. Gladioter helmet, check. Rifle, check.

The boys played in the sprinkler, Tess was having nothing to do with water spraying in her face. So sister sat in the shade and watched. Lovin' her sweet baby face and her sweet little swim suit.

Tons more pics, but even more laundry to get completed.

Nothing planned this weekend except enjoying some quiet time at home. I see a Ruby Red Slipper in my future, as in this afternoon. The kids are having their portraits done tomorrow so that will be a beating. So probably another cocktail or two tomorrow night.

Have an awesome weekend!!!

Where in the world is Tess?

And the party continues....

Lacey and the boys stayed again last night. Instead of 400 Ruby Red Slippers, we ate homemade potato soup, some crusty bread, tons of water, and went to bed early.

I feel very refreshed this morning, so I know I will be "on" for tonight's monthly, Bunko (Drunko). Actually, tonight we are just having a Bunko "social" since all we do is eat and drink anyway.

Tons of fun with all the cousins, played outside all day yesterday, ate big fat cheeseburgers from Storm's, took a ride on the golf cart to the park, played in the sprinklers, and then early bedtimes. For everyone.

Lots of pictures to post. And the potato soup recipe. HOLY MOLY!! Best potato soup I ever had. It is a Lacey's family recipe and it really is to die for.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!!

On a side note, Bram is still 100% paci free. BUT he has been wanting to hold a paci a lot. I have been letting him but feel I am taking a few steps backwards. I have caught him taking little hits off of it from time to time. Even taking it out of his sister's mouth for a quick suck.

I can't help but to feel a bit sorry for him.

Speaking of Bram, he just walked over to cousin Hank and tooted on him. They both are now on the floor laughing their asses off.

I should totally write a book on teaching kids manners and ettiquette.

If you win, I will kick your ass.

Scary Mommy is having a giveaway. And I want to win this giveaway.

If you click on her and then end up winning these kick ass earrings.

You will be in big, big trouble.

Just sayin'.

Ruby Red Slippers

My sis in law and two nephews came in for the night. Lacey made us Ruby Red Slippers, and they were tasty. Very tasty.

We sat in my backyard and watched all the kids laugh and play.

And sipped on these lovely cocktails.

I even busted out my Waterford martini glasses to celebrate the occasion.

Ruby Red Slipper:

1 shot of vodka

Splash of ruby red grapefruit juice

Splash of grenadine

Combine above in a shaker and shake.

Pour into martini glass and top with champagne. Add a cherry!

Rodeo fun! YEEHAW!!!

We had a blast for our anniversary celebration/festival of love.

Dinner at Z Tejas in Austin. Off to watch bull riding and Randy Rogers. Then to the legendary Broken Spoke for some two steppin' and the always wonderful Bruce Robison playing old country classics.

We slept in until 9:30 (can I get a "HALLELUJAH!") Then off to Fonda San Miguel for an amazing brunch.

Just a great time spent with my handsome husband.

And he better be glad he is sweet and super good looking. Those bull riders are S.E.X.Y.!!!

Can I get an "AMEN!"



My favorite shoes, my Frye's gold cowboy boots.

Isn't he dreamy? 5 years of wedded bliss. Nary a fight between us.

I asked Hubby to take a picture of me driving to Austin. This is what we got. Nice.

Much better. Happy days.

So it is Spring Break in our parts and we have been busy beavers. A girlfriend came in with her son on Sunday, left this morning. Sister in law, Lacey is heading in our direction as I type this. And y'all know what Lacey means?

HANK!!!!!! Needless to say, Bram is pumped.

Pictures of the wild indians will be coming soon......

Pictures

Since this blog is ultimately my kid's inappropriate baby book, I thought I would put up pictures from our VERY fun weekend at Gran-T and Mikey's.

Follow me.


Here is Gran-T and the little lady, getting ready for the scavenger hunt.

Daddy and Tess checking out the chicken coop. Chickens freak me out so I don't go near them, but the kids seem to think they are pretty cool. Weirdos.

I didn't grow up with chickens, born and raised in the big city of FORT WORTH, TEXAS. But my parents have adjusted very well to "country living." It is a paradise for my kids. And for me too!

What's that you ask? Why that is a skeet shooter, silly. So my dad, the Hubby, and brother can shoot their shotguns at clay thingies while my three year old looks on saying, "MY TURN!"

Don't worry "his turn" is many, many, many years away.

Sister got tired walking during the scavenger hunt. Mikey to the rescue! He pulled up in the jeep like a knight in shining armor. Tess sat in his lap and "drove" while the boys went scavenging.

Bailey and Bram finding "treasures" in the boat. After their adventure, they played on the boat for hours. It was hilarious to watch their imaginations go crazy.

Tess found a treasure as well.

Uncle Bryan, Bram, and Bailey checking out the map. Treasure were all over the place!!

Tee shirt, super wet diaper, and tennis shoes. What a look.

The boys showing off their finds. What fun they had!!

Refueling on pancakes and bacon while Bram make Bailey watch, "It's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown" for the 87858484 time. Thank the Lord for DVR!!!

That's all folks. Off the the rodeo tonight!!! Yeee-Haww!!!

I think I'll just stay here and drink....

Could be holding you tonight,
Could quit doing wrong, start doin' right.
You don't care about what I think.
I think I'll just stay here and drink.
Hey puttin' you down don't square no deal.
Least you know the way I feel.
Take all the money in the bank.
Think 'll just stay here and drink.

Listen close and you can hear,
That loud jukebox playin' in my ear.
Ain't no woman gonna change the way I think.
Think 'll just stay here and drink.

Instrumental Break.

Hurtin' me now don't mean a thing.
Since lovin' you, don't feel no pain.
My mind ain't nothin' but a total blank.
I think I'll just stay here and drink, yeah.

This sums up the kind of day I have had. Instead of "woman" replace "kids"" in the lyrics.

(A little tidbit about me, I think Merle Haggard has the prettiest voice in the world. Hands down.)

Have a happy weekend! Hubby and I are going to watch some bull ridin' tomorrow. YEE-HAWWW! This will be our second anniversary celebration watching bull riding.

You wouldn't of guessed that huh?

Ohhh baby do you know what it's worth, ohhh heaven is a place on earth.

One of my bestest friends owns my favorite clothing boutique in the world. Smartie Pantz

If I need anything to wear to ANY occasion, this is where I go. Great jeans, dresses, tops, jewelry, shoes, flip flops, tanks, etc.

Her mother in law owns the other side of the boutique. The kid side. Baby Nay, Baby Lulu, Robeez, Zutano, Me Too, Ralph Lauren, etc.

It is an addiction for me, as I love clothes. If I have a cute outfit on (and I always do) chances are it is a Smartie Pantz purchase. People actually make fun of me in these here parts for my love of this store.

Well, Stacey had to go to Market this Wednesday and Thursday and her mother in law is skiing. So guess who got to work at the store? That would be me. I have been begging her for over a year for some sort of job.

Oh yes, and it was a blast!

I dressed mannequins, sold people cute tops they didn't even know they needed.

And I am getting paid with STORE CREDIT! Needless to say, I have three tops and a darling pair of sandals sitting in the back ready for "pay day!"

Here are some pictures from my day. AND a few mother's day recommendations.

Look at these cuffs. I think I am going to purchase the green one in the middle.

Just one of the fun jewelry cases. This is a bit of the Waxing Poetic line, gorgeous and very unique.

Look at the amount of clothes and accessories I stared at for two days, 12 hours to be exact. I loved every second of it.

This is the kid's side. I am obsessed with that "5" outfit. The matching skirt is chocolate brown with bright cupcakes all over.

The above is the Waxing Poetic, a beautiful line for moms and wives. If you want a unique Mother's Day gift, this is a beautiful idea.

Isn't it gorgeous? Lots of stamped jewelry, this can be pieced on a bracelet or a necklace. You can mix silver and gold. Tons of options. It is my new favorite.

This is the Lena Wald jewelry that Smartie Pantz carries. VERY hard to come by. This is my necklace. It is a pave' "B"and "T", obviously custom made. And it can be made for YOU too.

If you have just one dude or dudette, these come in single initials as well. In white or yellow gold.

So delicate and pretty. I never take mine off and get tons of compliments.

This is the Waxing Poetice necklace I created for myself. I am hoping to own this on Mother's Day. It looks great with my Lena Wald, hangs much lower. AND I can add a charm every year.

SO, if you want a fun, unique Mother's Day gift, please contact Stacey at Smartie Pantz. She will send you more information and fix you up with some bling.

And for the record, I am not getting any free loot for this post. In fact, she doesn't even know I am doing it. I just am in love with this jewelry and thought you would be interested. Surely she won't be mad about this, right?

If you want more pics, keep checking the Smartie Pantz blog (link on website) and I will have her put a wider selection on the Waxing Poetic and Lena Wald jewelry up.