Girl, You Better Work It, Do your Thing

Get ready New York, Miami, Paris and Milan, here is the next
Super Model to grace the pages of French Vogue and Cosmo!
Since Adeline dropped off the growth charts completely for her weight
back when she was 15 months, Dad and I decided to use her waifness
to our advantage. We'll start with buying her the pumps for babies
so she can practice walking around in 7 inch heels and then start buying
fake lashes and a subscription to Anorexic Yearly magazine.
Here she is at her 2 year well baby check up, the nurse is
trying to get a height on her, but she thinks she's getting shots, so she is panicking. Unbelievably she is in the 85% for her height
and negative 1 million for her weight
I make Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen look like Jabba the Hutt

The smile that's a little sly, mischievous and oh so endearing

Happy 2nd Birthday Adeline Noel

At 1:10 a.m. riding out on a water slide
Adeline Noel entered our world and became our
third child, second daughter, and first baby born since
Grandma Wojtanik became Angel Grandma


The drama queen is born- is it the blob? Or maybe
Godzilla? Could be a flock of ravenous birds? No, it's
the Elmo balloon she picked out herself not an hour earlier
She moved in with tongue out, before we could even
sing to her. Our camera speed wasn't quick enough to catch
the tongue

After we sang Happy Birthday the tongue was back

Putting together my Inch Worm with Daddy

Yo Parrish Parrish

I guess every generation of new toddler needs a kids show with some scary ass characters. A few years ago it was Barney, then came Telly Tubbies and the whole gay tubby drama, next came Booba's , the British weirdo's that make farting noises and for Adeline's age child, it's Yo Gabba Gabba. There is a black DJ named DJ Lance who wears a giant fluffy orange hat that resembles what the Wicked Witch of the West had her castle guards wear. Then there are 5 crazy THINGS that each have ridonkulous names. Foofa, Brobee, Muno, Greg, Marsha, Jane and Cindy. Ok I tease, but they are strange. Not only do they look funny, but they sing the most mind numbingly repetitive songs that a 5 year old would go insane from. They only have effect on someone under 3. I don't think saying Let's brush our teeth 10 times in a row, constitutes being defined as a song. Then I think they decided Stupid Human Tricks was a good idea on late night tv, so why not see if it works on toddlers. So I have been witness to a child who can make his belly roll using his stomach muscles and a girl who can play the flute with her nose. If this is what makes my little girl happy, than by all means, let's go buy her every POS out there that has Yo Gabba Gabba on it. Here is the amazing singing talents of my two daughters in the Yo Parrish Parrish band.

Indiana Jones and the Christmas Chaos

Each time the kids ride in Daddy's truck they demand the Indiana Jones theme music. This progressed into wanting to see the movies and then into getting the whip and hat. So weren't they thrilled Christmas morning to open up the sound effect whip and the cool derby hat. Now each child has to be Indy in turn and likes to smack Mommy and Daddy with the whip. It is made of cloth and has a cool cracking sound and then the theme music plays. I love that someone thought of the idea to start making boy dress up outfits, so when it comes to playing make believe, they have cool stuff to wear also.

Angels we Have Heard on High

This week was the WEEK OF THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS! Daddy wasn't going to be able to see either Emma or Reece's performances, as he was going to be gone all week. But, a stomach bug on Monday brought that trip to a screeching halt. He returned green around the gills Monday afternoon and after a day in bed, was able to see both kids programs. Reece was a shepard in a live nativity at his Preschool. He carried a little lantern. very cute- the picture above is of Reece with his little best friend Jake Miller. Jake has a sister who is Adeline's age named Abigail and they love playing together too. Emma's program was Friday and her class sang O Come Little Children and Angels we Have Heard on High. The parents got some good laughs out of how big the kids opened their mouths during the GLORIA ORIA ORIA, since you have to use one huge breath for the whole verse. This picture is Emma with Jenna and Haley.
Now that school is out, we begin sleeping in late, the carefree days of hanging out and playing all day, making our Christmas cookies, and looking forward to Christmas morning. I realized yesterday that Christmas was a little lopsided for one child versus the others. So Reece was going to have a very merry Christmas and apparently Emma and Adeline were getting the shaft. Daddy aka Scrooge wanted to decrease the Reece overload rather than supplement the girls underload. But Mommy won out and battled the " Rus"( that's short for Toys R Us ) on the Saturday before Christmas. Let me just tell you how many dads were in there with that lost, helpless look in their eyes, wandering the aisles hoping some perfect gift would jump off into their empty carts. Or better yet, a helpful mother would kindly direct them towards the popular toys of the season. They see the names High School Musical Three, Hanna Montana and Bakugan and are lost. Poor wait to the last minute Daddies. I have to add this as a last thought, earlier this week as I was leaving the Wall of Marts, I happened upon a strange sight. A man-boy of about 20ish walking across a busy intersection with a sly smile on his face, shoeless, sockless and carrying a stack of Dungeons and Dragons card in his hand. He smiled sneakily at each of our cars as he passed while we waited for the light to change, like he knew something we didn't about why he was smiling. Like maybe he was the Unibomber or maybe there was a funny reason as to why he had no shoes on in winter. But whatever the reason for his smile, the guy in the truck next to me looked over at me and we both gave the "WTF" look and then the light turned green.

Meet Moxie

Here is the newest member of the Parrish Family. Moxie Crimefighter Parrish. A grey Manx kitten that came to us via the Escambia County Animal Shelter aka the pound. She is about 3 months old and adorable. The kids have already fully fallen in love and she sleeps with them tucked under their chins. She is loud, spunky and lives up to her name. Cinder hates her and Gatsby our 23 pound GINORMOUS male is scared crapless of the kitten. If he only knew he could probably eat Moxie for breakfast, but he would rather hide in the closet than confront the terrible Moxie. Bandit on the other hand, does want to eat her, I think he thinks she is a hamster.

The Reece Report

Another installement of famous Reece quotes:

Celebrity Sighting in Pensacola!!

American Idol hopeful Sanjaya was spotted teaching a toddlers tumbling class in early December in a remote location of the country. Since making it as 5th runner up on American Idol 2 seasons ago, his whereabouts have been unknown, until now. Thanks to one of our loyal viewers for sending in this exclusive footage of the teen heart throb. The video tends to put the focus on the small adorable blond haired lad, but the real motive was to not look obvious while filming this elusive crooner. Still sporting the now infamous fauxhawk, he really got into his job. He thrilled the young children with running round-offs and stunts on the trampoline that would rival that of Brayshnikov and make all adults watching roll their eyes. Sanjaya you may not have become our new American Idol, but the way you work large amounts of hairspray and mousse has been inspiration enough.

Thankful for Family

We drove the 10 hours up to Fayetteville this year to see my Dad and Annette. The kids tolerated the road trip and only asked about 500,000 times when we get there, which is down from our Disney trip in May which totaled somewhere near a million. The turkey was deep fried, the ham sugared, and the green beans casseroled. Everything was just the way I would've handpicked the meal. Including the fact that there were 5 desserts to choose from. Pumpkin Pie, Apple Cake, gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting, chocolate torte and banana pudding. Why make the choice I say, there is too little time and not enough room left in my stomach.

The merriment of the few short days included a few pivotal games of chess between Rick and myself. I still believe he cheats when you are not looking. An endless game of Battleship from the 80's with missing pegs between Grandpa and an Emma who kept moving her boats around( I think she takes after Rick ie: cheater, cheater, pants on fire)

Watched Wall-E and listened to Addie say in a high pitched voice all night WALLLLL- EEEEEE.

I had to include this picture of Emma. We were out for a walk and she found this great hill on the golf course. She went for it and just rolled her way down the long green. This was snapped in mid rotation.

Grandpa Wojtanik, Jackie and Emma enjoying 3 of the 5 desserts

We roasted marshmallows the last night and it was chilly and toasty. Perfect for a fire. Reece apparently wanted to play Indiana Jones b/c he took a flaming marshmallow on a stick right out of the fire and then left with it and said he wanted a torch.
Thanks for a great time Grandpa, can't wait to come back again

Turkey Talk

Reece is now getting to be quite the " Verbal Vince", this as everyone knows is the male version of "Chatty Cathy" These are some conversations that took place on Thanksgiving Day up in Fayetteville, NC while visiting Grandpa Wojtanik and Miss Annette.

While on a walk of their neighborhood :

Reece- Look Grandpa, a dead squirrel! They better be careful, cause someone could pop a tire on that squirrel.

and as a side note Emma agreed fully, because you know how sharp squirrel's claws are.


LATER that same day while watching Star Wars Episode One- The Phantom Menace


Reece- There were not enough Darth Maul parts in that movie for me and I don't know what to do about that.

Sundays are always more fun with Dad around

Rick was home on a Sunday for once, so he took the whole family fishing out to a Gulf Breeze fishing pier. A man near us had caught about 25 little mullet and let the kids have 10 of them. We had them in a bucket and they kept leaping out onto the dock. Everyone had a great time. Each kid has a net to try and catch things. Rick broke his casting net on some sharp rocks, but maybe that's a good thing, b/c if he had caught anything, I think no one would be gutting a fish in this family. Emma suggested we could run them over with the car tires and then cook them. Yum, tread! I guess you'll never see us on Wide World of Fishing or Bass Master.

Pug Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire

If Bandit wasn't neutered they would be roasting by the fire, we won't tell him though.
On the coldest night so far this year in Florida, we lit a fire in the fireplace. This is my first time lighting a fire in 5 years. Rick refused to let us light one in the other house due to the fact that it was a brand new fireplace and he didn't want to tarnish the effect. But, Mommy cracked out the Yule log tonight and the kids and pets were like a moth to the flame. Adeline kept her distance, but the pug was the first to cop a squat front and center.

Then Cinder joined the pillow party. Her and Bandit tolerate each other. He keeps his distance and she will every now and then give him a gentle head rub or show him he claws.


OK, now here's a picture that needs explaining. Emma likes to create masterpieces in the kitchen and calls them her creations. When she was 3 she used to pour cookie sprinkles into cupcake holders, then stick them in the freezer and she declared them delicious. I remember as a kid going over to a friend's home and the 2 of us mixing ketchup, mayo, hot sauce and peanut butter and forcing each other to try it. I think it wasn't THAT bad. So, if Emma wants to dabble in the kitchen, I let her eat the rewards. The other evening while I was bathing the littler two, Emma quietly came up stairs and said " You better go get the camera." She then held out THIS. She named it Banana Bed, and it's a banana in a bed with lettuce as his covers, a licorice smile and peanut eyes. Pretty creative Emma Roo. She ate it all!

More Sausage Reece?

Yesterday was Reece's Little Thanksgiving Feast at his preschool and they all processed in dressed as Native Americans and Pilgrims. They each had a place setting for them they had made.

Then the feasting began. What was served you might ask? Probably the same thing the early settlers ate, little smoky links, pancakes and brownie bites. Because nothing says Thanksgiving like little wieners and lots of syrup. The funniest thing was that Reece just ate very mechanically, and didn't talk or look around. And every time the staff came around with the HUGE sausage tray, they would ask Reece " More sausage" and he always said YES. That boy had 4 helpings of 3 sausages each helping. What the stank Reece, put on a snout and call him piggy. Reece never has a second helping of sausage at home. Then when they brought around the brownies, they asked if he wanted one, and he said No. But the girl gave him one anyway, so he ate it.

The little girl next to Reece wouldn't touch her food, so I pretended that Reece's turkey was going to eat her food, and she just looked at me very violated. I guess 4 years have no sense of humor.

Gobble Gobble Reece

Brownies and Baby Shower

Wild and Crazy Troop 540 I love my troop

Poor Little Jenna here on the left knocked out a baby tooth, before we had even started the trail, while running back from the bathroom on the cement. But what a tough Girl Scout, she stuck it out even with skinned knees, elbows and hands.

Getting our Owl Nature Journals ready for the nature hunt

My good friend Marybeth Cyr is expecting her 4th baby this February and her husband planned a surprise baby shower for her. We have been friends going on 5 years and I couldn't be more happy for her expecting a girl after 2 boys in the middle. She was truly surprised by the shower and had a blast. Adeline apparently isn't one who is up for parties yet and forced our day to end early. It seems like only a few months ago that I was having my own girl baby shower for my " baby" who will be 2 this upcoming month. Does that mean we should try for number 4?

Father of all cheapskates

Yep, you guessed who this blog is about, none other than Ricardo. I pulled out an old picture to put on this one. As if I thought my husband couldn't get any more " frugal" as he phrases it, I walked into the kitchen and caught him in the middle of something. As my Dad nicely put ,was he eating his boogers?, Nice Dad, No he was NOT eating his boogers. Let me give you first a little background info. For those who haven't seen my girls up close, they are rail thin and need every extra calorie that goes into those torpedo like bodies. So, we of course buy the whole milk at the store and I prefer Organic for the lack of pesticides, and hormones. So, YES it does run us more at the check-out for these high priced items. Rick however, drinks heavily hormoned, chock full of steroids and antibiotics skim milk. We were almost out of the kids milk this morning and so, do you see where my story is going?............. Yes, he was pouring his milk into the kids milk container, thinking that I would never catch on. Naughty Rick! Don't you know I am the woman of the house and this is my domain. Don't you think I would already know we were low on milk last night and therefore be very suspicious if suddenly the milk was "magically" full this morning. Yes, Virginia, Rick Parrish is the cheapest man on the planet.

Out of the mouths of Babes

Reece yesterday in the car:

Mom- Look Reece, a sign at that vet says cat grooming on Mondays should we take a cat to be groomed?


Reece- No, Mom because my cat is dead


And you know there's nothing worse than a dead cat that needs grooming
As a side note "his favorite" cat Mocha died in April and so sometimes his conversation does bring that fact up, but not this apparent as the groomer comment.




Emma in the car on the way to gymnastics last night -

Mom: Look, there are some Christmas lights over there already. Wow they put those up early.

Emma: Mom, don't you just love the joy of Christmas? The cold weather, the people putting up trees and lights, getting toys, singing songs, having your mom burn something in the oven and it sets the smoke alarms off, the house fills with smoke and you all go outside in the yard because the house is too full of smoke, so you drive us around to look at Christmas lights instead and when we come home the house is still too smoky so we all sit in the garage?


I kid you not this child has the memory of an elephant. I forgot I had set the oven to self clean last year and some grease caught on fire in the oven and the WHOLE house was smoking and it was unbearable. We did exactly as she described and I can't believe she actually told a joke.

Addie Boo Boo got a Boo Boo

Poor Little Adeline was so excited running in our driveway to greet Daddy on Thursday and took her first major fall. Actually none of my children have had a serious spill yet, and this was my first bloody incident. She put her top teeth through her lip and split the bottom as well. She screamed and carried on(rightfully so) for the better part of an hour. Baby Einstein videos come in handy in a moment like this. This is what the lip looked like the following day. Remarkable how well mouths heal, because here we are Sunday morning and it is almost 80% healed. Let's hope this is our last accident for awhile.

oooooooo, went the wind and out went the lights and 4 little Parrish's rolled out of sight- to start trick or treating

One little Red Riding Hood created and designed by Becky Baldwin

One peacock warm and snug on Halloween night, already eating candy from our candy bin

And a Luke Skywalker light saber ready

I had to include a picture of our neighbor's son Levi, dressed as a skateboarding grandma, ha ha, very creative

Emma at her 2nd grade pumpkin patch, hearing a ghost story

The Parrish Children and ready for a Halloween night in our new neighborhood, what treats await?

The "whole" crew minus Daddy, who is stuck in Orlando eating hot wings and looking at John McCain lookalikes. I must say a funny part of the night was when some couple down the street, asked the kids, if I give you a treat will you do a trick for an extra treat? And the Dad said how about a Forward Roll? Reece refused and hid behind me, but Emma was all for that and quickly launched forward and back up on her feet like a flash, and poof, another M&M's pack was in her bag, so Reece not to be outdone, launched into a somersault as well and then asked where his treat was? Pretty funny and warmed them up too since it was pretty chilly last night. Adeline actually left the stroller for a few houses to hold her treat bag up and then take what she wanted out of the bowls of candy. Daddy asked for someone to share their candy with him when he gets home and Reece made a huge pile of chocolate and gummies and put it on Rick's side of the bed. What a sweet little guy. The kids went to bed already discussing what they will be next year. I am hearing tiger and Iron Man. We'll see.