Asahi Wasabi

Saraia's new favorite place to eat is Asahi... she loves shrimp friend rice and Asahi has the best in town.  Since Daddy had a work dinner, Mommy took the kids out to eat!  Langston put his hands in the Wasabi and Mommy quickly wiped his hands and told him that it was HOT HOT HOT!!  After a great meal, Mommy gave Langston the chopsticks to take home, because he was so good at the restaraunt.  As Mommy was filling out the check Langston was able to get the chopsticks into the Wasabi and into his mouth.  He was on FIRE!!!  He was wiping his tongue and telling Mommy and everyone else in the restaraunt that it was 'HOT'.  He just kept saying 'HOT'... 'Momma HOT'.  Even to the people at the next table, he would point to his mouth and shout 'HOT'.  Mommy kept giving Langston water until the FIRE subsided and the family left for the house.  It wasnt until later that Mommy realized that Langston thought the green wasabi paste looked like mashed apples, which is why he was so interested!!!  He should know the difference now!

Crest kids

There are many Father/Daughter moments a Dad invisions, but back to back dentist visits was not one of them. Apparently, Daddy and Saraia need to be more strict with flossing! Both fillings went fine and all is well, just waiting on the numbness to wear off so Daddy and Saraia can eat without spilling food everywhere!

First day back after the holidays

Many of us were dreading the first day back after a great, long vacation from work, the nut house, or whatever you may call it. Mommy and Daddy were not different. After an extended 2 week vacation, totally unplugged from all work communication, it felt like craziness to go to work this morning! Daddy was also prepared for the worst drop-off ever at day care. Langston can get moody and cry on a regular day, much less after a great vacation at home. As always, that little guy will do the opposite of what is expected. He went in with little resistance after his teacher held out her arms, so he could be picked up. So as we were all swamped today and couldn't wait to get home, Langston was not, again doing the opposite of expectations. He was the only child pitching a fit to STAY AT DAYCARE!! Unbelievable!!! The boy who usually runs outta there like he's on fire, looked at Daddy, said NO, and ran back inside! What a difference a day makes! Please somebody tell us what changed, before we begin to think Langston is laughing at us behind our back!

Love and Truth Church

Us McGhees went back to a church we visited a long time ago today, Love and Truth.  It was a great experience and we should be going back.  We were invited by good friends, Dexter, Amber, and their 3 adorable kids.  The pastor delivered an inspiring message and the kids got their own lesson in Sunday School.  Saraia had a blast and actually stayed for the second service of Sunday School!!  Saraia quickly found out that she new many of the kids from her school and other activities.  The Sunday School teachers were very impressed with how attentiveness and how she answered questions.  She definitely wants to go back, as she told Mommy that our pervious church was 'Too Long!'  Mommy tried to explain to her that she stayed longer at L&T than we ever stayed at Mt. Zion.  She didnt get it, but as they say 'time flies when you are having fun'.

The family that pots together...

Wow.... It seemed like a crazy goal when we said Langston would be potty trained by the end of the holidays. Pick your mouth up, he's not quite there yet. But the past two days, he has let Mommy and Daddy know ahead of time and actually used the 'pot'. We are headed in the right direction and expect to be fully trained by the summer! First thing we noticed was that he was saying 'bathroom' and not 'pot pot', when he was ready!! Then after some advice, the family role modeled the behavior.... Each of us would say when we needed to go and brought Langston along, so he could see what was happening. Believe it or not something is working, because he is on his way to being trained!

2010 = NEW NEW NEW

On to the next challenge, journey, opportunity!  Its always great to have a fresh start and a New Year is a perfect way to do that.  The new motto for UsMcGhees this year is 'Perfect 10 in 2010'.  As the world says goodbye to 2009, we are also saying goodbye to a long holiday vacation (two weeks to be exact).  Mon, Jan 4th represents 'the routine'.  But as Mommy and Daddy look back over 2009, we agree that 'the routine' could use a little work.  The time off has really made us realize what's important again.  No resolutions here, because they never come true, but clear goals for the family, mostly centered around a heavy dose of family time, with some Mommy and Daddy time spinkled in.  First step to the Perfect 10 is Mommy and Daddy's Pigeon Forge trip without the kids on MLK weekend (thanks Ketora)!!

A Look Back @ 2009

Jan: Ski trip to NC with SC cousins, Maxwell and Jazmin Sullivan concert
Feb: Langston's 1st birthday
Mar: Visit Grandma in ATL, Family and Friends BBQ picnic @ North Park
Apr: Easter Egg Hunt school trip, Langston's 1st Easter
May: Saraia's recital, Saraia plays T-ball, Langston falls and needs stitches
Jun: Nikki and Freddie's wedding in SC, Cousins' open house in GI, Saraia falls and burns knee
Jul: 1st family vacation to Gulf Shores, 4th of July with Grammy and Grandpa
Aug: Saraia's first day of Kindergarten, Saraia's 5th birthday sleep over party, Saraia visits Grandma for a week in ATL
Sep: TSU/FAMU game trip with SC cousins, Vegas trip for Daddy and friends
Oct: Mommy and Daddy Grizzlies power pack starts, Saraia's 1st time trick or treat
Nov: R Kelly concert, Thanksgiving in MD with Tiff and Mont
Dec: Princess and the Frog family and friends movie outing, 1st Family Christmas @ home (read night before christmas, baked homemade cookies, drank hot cocoa, sung carols) , 1st Family NYE party (pizza, wings, games, music, sparkling cider, watching the ball drop)

Happy 2010

So long last year... Good times and bad times, all worth it, to better prepare our family for future blessings and challenges!! We are praying for blessings to all children of God in 2010. May each day be better than the last. Happy NEW YEAR!!!

Post Christmas Toy Syndrome

We thought we were drowning in toys after Christmas, so we decided to do a little clean out of the kids room. We pulled all the toys out and placed them in one place, so we could decide what to keep, trash, and donate (clean house style). It is amazing how toys seem to multiply once they are all in one place. This toy mountain took longer than expected, but the kids got acquainted with some old 'friends' and we were able to get all the christmas joy into some order. We are truly blessed to have this issue... So we are also teaching the kids the principles of donation, charity, and sharing. We will send the old toys in good condition to charity on Saturday.

Langston cleaning service

Langston loves to copy. As mommy and daddy have been cleaning during this time off, Langston was paying close attention. He woke up this morning and got Saraia's toy vacuum. He has been pretend vacuuming for the past hour all through the house! It would be great if their was a real vacuum made for his size!!!