Toddlers & Tiaras

Be forewarned, I am ranting today. So, there is a show that comes on after the Duggars' called Toddlers & Tiaras. I watched it the other day out of curiosity. My faith in mankind has now been diminished exponentially. How anyone, especially the mother of a small child whose purpose on earth is to protect, nurture, and develop that child could think that forcing (and I mean forcing) her child to participate in one of these awful pageants is beyond me. The episode I watched had children as young as 2 months wearing full make-up. What is wrong with these people! I watched a woman spray tan her 4-year-old child who was crying the whole time because she did not want it. The same child than had full make-up applied including fake eyelashes, fake hair, the above mentioned fake tan, fake teeth, and a $3000 dress. The moms the show interviewed actually tried to claim that part of the reason they did pageants is for their children to win money for college. If the top prize in a pageant is $2500, which is apparently about the average, and you spend $5000 on clothing and such, I'm pretty sure you are not going to come out ahead. I am in utter disbelief at what I saw. This should be considered child abuse, and these people should be arrested. There is no telling what kind of damage they are doing emotionally to these children teaching them that how they look is the most important thing in their lives. These pageants even have swimsuit competitions, for 2 year olds! That is just sick! Anyway, it made me very angry watching. These poor children are crying saying they are hungry, tired, they don't want to do it, and some of them were even sick. If you haven't seen the show, watch it. Trust me, it will make you feel like a better mom. By the way, I am not talking about the little pageants they do at the local fair or Walmart where you can win diapers or a little cash. I have no problem with people doing that at all. What I have a problem with is trying to turn babies into miniature prostitute look-a-likes. Sorry, I just had to vent!

Birthday Boy!

Luke turned 4 on Saturday. I just cannot believe he is 4! We had a Transformers party and had a great time.

Jitterbugs

About 6 weeks ago, Luke's Jitterbugs class put on their annual performance. Jitterbugs is kind've an exercise class for kids with singing, dancing, and general silliness. For those of you who know Luke, you will be shocked to find out that he has terrible stage fright. He would not even put on any of the costumes. The picture below is the closest we ever got to wearing a costume or being on stage. The only reason he even did that much is because of the 2nd picture, Chuck-E-Cheese bribery. They did 4 songs, and the first 3 songs he spent sitting on the steps to the left of the stage with Daddy. Finally, before the 4th song, I went back with him to the dressing room and got him to put a hat on. I told him he had to stand up the whole time and then we would go to Chuck-E-Cheese. This is the child who dives on the floor and yells, "I'm ok!" just so people will look at him. 2 sets of grandparents drove about an hour and a half to watch this...

Ice Storm

I finally have enough electricity and time to post some of the pictures I took during the ice storm. This 1st one is from our house. The rest were taken at the Thrive House.

This is the parking area at the Thrive House.

This is the backyard.

There was a piece of carboard laying on the back porch that had the Thrive letters cut out of it in order for the guys to make t-shirts for their basketball team. I picked up the cardboard, and this is what was left behind. I though it was pretty neat.

Twins

Everyone always comments on how much Luke looks like Nate Thomas. Nate sent me this picture last week, and I really thought it was Luke for a minute. I had to look at it for a little bit before I realized it was a picture of Nate when he was little. Well, at least Jeremy and I know what Luke will look like when he grows up!

Christmas

I'm a little slow getting things posted after Christmas, but I have actually been pretty sick so better late than never I guess.

My parents got Luke some Tinker Toys since he really enjoys playing with Carl and my old set at their house.

He got a new big boy bed complete with Razorback bedding from Nana.

The big thing he got from us this year is this awesome Thomas The Train set. Jeremy's mom actually found it at a yard sale last summer unopened, brand new for $5 and gave it to us to give him for Christmas. I know, unbelieveable right!

Christmas Card

If you are wondering why you have not received a Christmas card from us yet, it is because we are not sending them this year. I decided to just do an online version.

So, Merry Christmas from the Flanagan Family!