I Would Like to Be the New Spokesperson for Dell

I don't want to brag, but since my blog is called "Shameless bragging," I guess you kind of expect it. So here goes. I got a new laptop and not only does it have an operating system that was developed in this decade, it also has something I didn't even know existed: a memory card reader. Right there on the computer. No cords required. Do you know what that means to someone who broke her camera and can't upload her pictures???

That means I can show you this



And this



And this



Not to mention this (which has nothing to do with Halloween but is too cute not to post)


Three cheers for technology!

Do Not Allow Me Near Expensive Appliances/Electronics

I'm pretty much the only loser mom in the blogworld who hasn't posted super-cute pictures of her kids in their Halloween costumes. For now, you'll just have to take my word that the Bramlett girls were the prettiest Little Mermaid and Cinderella around.

It's not that I didn't take plenty of pictures. I did. I got lots of good shots of the two of them enjoying our WEEK long Halloween festivities. It's just that, well, there was an unfortunate accident involving my new-ish camera at the fall carnival at church and now said camera is rendered unusable. Since the cost of repair is somehow more than the cost of a new camera (defying various laws of economics or gravity or something), I guess I'll be buying a new one. Until then, no pictures.

On a slightly related note, I dyed the inside of my dryer orange last week. The good news there is that it doesn't seem to be effecting the performance of the appliance. It does, however, seem to indicate that I am single-handedly ruining every big ticket item in our house.

I Should Feel Bad About This

While Arden was napping this afternoon, I raided the treat bag she got at her Mother's Day Out Halloween party today. I ate all the chocolate. I sense that I should feel badly about this, but come on, she's two. She still thinks smarties are just as good as mini milky ways. Amateur.

How We Spend Our Evenings

Alternate Title: Because the Razorback Fight Song sounds so much better when sung with classical music playing in the background

Have I mentioned this?

Arden started a ballet/tap class this fall. She loves it and, like everything else she does, goes at it full force. Unfortunately, her future in the class is a little uncertain after she pummeled another little girl during last week's session. If we do stick it out, mark your calendars for late May. That receital will be a must-see.

GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!

Last Thursday night, Claire scored her first goal ever (assuming you don't count the one she scored for the other team a few weeks ago). Since then, she's been on a scoring rampage. On Friday night, she scored five goals and couldn't wait to call someone to share the news that she got the "high score".

Jason and I, who normally consider ourselves to be highly reasonable people, have turned into those parents. You know, the ones who are jumping up and down on the sidelines and yelling "Stay with it, Claire! Straight to the goal! Wooo-hoooo!!!" while the other parents think to themselves, "They do realize this is four year old soccer don't they?"

Yes, we do. But it's so fun to see your little one accomplish something and be so proud of herself that we're willing to sacrifice a little of our dignity to celebrate it with her. However, f you see us on the soccer fields and we're a little, um, over the top, please feel free to tell us to tone it down...

Things I Want to Remember

I looked at my girls yesterday and was hit with the sudden realization that they are getting bigger by the second. When did Arden start talking so much? How long has Claire been refusing to wear bows? Weren't those soccer shorts a lot longer last spring? Why does that dress seem too small (oh. it's an 18-24 months)?
I know once this new baby gets here the girls will seem even bigger and before I know it, I'll have forgotten what this stage in their lives was like. So here are some things I don't want to forget...

Claire
*Says "willn't" when she means "won't"
*Totally obsessed with jewelry--at any given time, she's wearing several necklaces, a few rings and an armload of bracelets
*Can't wait for kindergarten and asks nearly everyday how much longer it will be until she goes to her "Big Girl School"
*Runs around the soccer field with a huge smile on her face
*Is just as happy to have "almost" scored a goal than to actually have scored one
*Loves to perform and can't wait to be a grown-up so she can be on stage somewhere
*Spent thirty minutes trying to master the monkey bars at the park on Saturday
*Wants to pick her own clothes and accessories and does not limit herself by adhering to fashion boundaries such as "plaids and stripes do not go together" or "if the back of your heel is hanging over the edge of those Hello Kitty wedge sandals you love so much, they're probably too small"
*Can't wait to be able to read
*Thinks the big girls across the street are totally cool
*Likes to kiss the baby in my tummy
*Sleeps with a blankie, a puppy named pup-pup and three princess dolls
*Doesn't nap anymore

Arden
*Repeats everything Claire says, even if she has no idea what it means
*Loves her "pappy" (that's what she calls her paci and yes, she still has it. Want to fight about it?)
*Thinks using the potty means sitting on it or standing in front of it
*Cries when I leave
*Loves to give hugs and kisses
*Gets so excited when someone comes to the house that she runs into the living room and does somersaults
*Loves to sing back-up for Claire, although I'm sure she'll want to take the lead before too long
*Calls my dad Jack instead of Grandad
*Terrifies me when I take her to the park
*Loves to eat olives
*Thinks she is just as big as her sister
*Loves to paint and use glue sticks
*Tried to feed baby in my tummy chips by laying them on my belly
*Sleeps with two lovies, two blankets, three princess dolls, one puppy and, of course, her beloved pappy
*Says "Ontchoo" when she means "I want you"