What's cooking?

My little man has learned where good things come from. These days, whenever something is baking in the oven, he likes to keep watch. He's just making sure he doesn't miss out on the goodies. He's even learned how to turn the oven light on by himself. Dirty oven door, loaded with fingerprints ... fun memories.

Birthday Fun!

J's birthday was filled with fun for everyone. Here's the recap.

Mom and Dad greeted J with song and candles!

Then J sat at the table full of presents, including a Manning family first - a scooter!

Yum Yum! She asked for chocolate covered donuts for breakfast.

Thanks Dad for making the early morning run to Meche's.

3rd Birthday. J got to choose 3 presents to open before getting dressed.

J said, "A three year princess! She's just like me!"

She was so thrilled, she forgot about the other presents.

After ripping off the paper J said, "A box!"

I really think she thought the gift was the box.

She had so much fun digging through this bag, finding treasures.

My girls LOVE clothes.

After getting dressed, J went outside to try out her new scooter.

She got the hang of it in no time.

C can't wait until the "newness" wears off, and she gets to ride.

Then we were off to Toys-R-Us.

The kids are part of the Birthday Club.

Each year, Geoffrey the giraffe sends them a $3 gift card.

All three wanted this cute lollipop!

After a run to Chick-fil-A for dinner and play, it was time for cake!

Happy 3rd Birthday J!

What a day!

Outside with Grandpa

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's your water for breakfast!


We took Thanksgiving Day real easy. I'm so glad we had already decided to do Shrimp Etoufee for lunch rather than all the traditional dishes. I'm not sure Mom and I could have pulled it off after the night we had. We certainly weren't in the mood to do much, and the laundry was demanding enough as it was.

Our day of rest worked! The kids were all recovered and ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa on Friday.

They loved the rope swing Grandpa made for them.

Then they got to pick oranges.

Eating them was the most fun! Don't forget E. She was there too, but playing inside.

Choo Choo

What fun! Andy got to see the inside of a real train! We have a couple of buds that are engineers. No, not degree engineers. The real deal, train operating engineers. How cool is that?!

Andy was invited to check out the cabin workspace. Andy said it was a little weird waiting for the train, then watching it come to a stop for him in his little white Taurus. He said it was a little overwhelming. He was amazed at how tall the train was. What a fun adventure!

Playhouse fun

The kids absolutely love their new playhouse. (Thanks Uncle Jim and Aunt Kara!) Sometimes it's a home, but most of the time it's a diner. C, M, and J are fascinated with fast food; the speed of the food prep amazes them. And they think the people that work in the fast food industry are beyond cool. They all aspire to be "food ladies" when they grow up.

One afternoon they were all playing outside when I heard a very loud, obnoxious scream from J. It was the J scream that says, "One of my big sisters did something to me that I just don't like at all!" I went outside to investigate. As I was approaching the playhouse, I overheard C lecturing J. So I walked to the window and started up a conversation.

Me: Excuse me ladies. I heard a loud scream, and some shouting. I just thought I would come check things out and see what all the commotion is about.

C: Well, you see. Here's the problem. Look at J's feet! They are so dirty, and she keeps coming into my house and putting grass all over the place. Look at this floor! It's filthy! She can't come in here and make the house dirty like this!

And C was dead serious. She was on her hands and knees picking up blades of grass and tossing them out the door. I've got to get the girl a broom so she can keep her house/diner clean.

Happy Birthday!

Guest Blog: Andy, Daddy
Dear J,

Happy 3rd birthday! You’re a big girl now, and on Sunday you get move up from First Steps to Lil’K at church. How exciting! J, I love you so much. You bring so much joy to your mother and me. You have a beautiful smile, and when you smile it makes me smile. And you don’t mind at all showing your emotions. We know exactly what you are feeling on the inside because you show it all on the outside. And that’s good, because I like to know what my little J is feeling. I want you to be happy, and that’s why lately I have been teaching you a lesson that will serve you well your entire life: Your attitude is your choice. Life is best when we choose a happy attitude, and God has given us the ability to choose happiness. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can always choose to face life with a happy, cheerful, joyful, positive attitude. That’s what I try to do, and even though it’s not always easy, it’s always what is best. I learned that from your Grandpa when I was a little boy. I also learned that if you have given your life to Jesus and He lives inside of you, then you have extra strength to choose joy. As a follower of Jesus you can face whatever life throws at you because you’ve got Jesus walking with you and Heaven awaiting you. And your mother and I pray often that you will choose to embrace Jesus at a young age. He loves you and has a fantastic plan for your life. Right now, my little J, I’ve noticed that you are fascinated with princesses. Did you know that you are a princess? That’s right! Your Heavenly Father is the King of Kings, and He created you as a unique, very special, very precious princess. And you’ll always be my beloved princess, too! I love you J, and I look forward to another year of hugs, and kisses, and lovins, and fun times.

The best is yet to come!

Daddy

Andy and J