"All I want for Christmas..." episode

Although you may not see it clearly yesterday's episode was most definitely focused around Audra's loose tooth. This front tooth has been loose since Clinton was president! We have wiggled and wiggled this thing and finally yesterday, with quite a bit of hubbub it came out. In fact it was Cecily the loved neighbor, who after seeing her tooth dangling (while Audra was outside playing) finally went after the the tooth! Audra squeeled with delight. After looking at her for some time I thought......all that work so she could look like a Jack-O-Lantern? Hhhmm..
PS.. You're right, that is her tooth she is proudly holding in the ziplock baggy!

For Mor Mor...

Mor Mor & Grandpa are having fun in Hilton Head (as usual). This week they are entertaining Uncle D, cousins Ilsa and Oskar and Uncle D's blog showed beautiful flowers that Mor Mor adores. So we just wanted to say HELLO from Houston where there are also things a bloomin'. We miss you.

A Day with Miss Jenny...

When "mommy" works, the boys get a "day of play" with Miss Jenny...whom they adore. Jenny took this picture of the boys eating their lunch in the backyard. Anders gives Miss Jenny plenty of opportunity to practice patience while Gunnar loves on her with great affection!!! Both boys, as you can see, have NO problem eating!!

Meal Time

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The food for this crew is usually provided by "the mother". However on Saturday nights she is given the night off and the entire cast makes their way to Chipottle for soft tacos. Gunnar eats a full bag of chips and guacamole by himself! This shot is taken this evening on our ritual trip for tacos.

"This segment brought to you by....

Dr. Pepper...the official drink of Chris Carlson!

The Oscar for best stuntman goes to...

If you can see Anders shirt it accurately says "I do all my own stunts!" This was lovingly given to him by his favorite babysitter/nanny, Miss Jenny. He performs death defying tricks on a regular basis and has successfully sported a black eye or scab on his face for several months in a row. He eats like a football player and laughs like a girl.
Congratulations Anders on your Academy for rookie stuntman of the year!

Little Jack Horner....

Please note Anders index finger....inserted entirely in the orange. It was with great delight that Anders played with this orange all day. Never say never... Why would I ever let my child play with a sticky orange all over the house? It happens that this child likes NO toys! He likes to help with the laundry, open the oven, break doors, throw things and he found the orange by climbing up the back of the couch and on to a kitchen counter. He then got down and played with it all day until he finally worked his finger to the center. He held up the orange with only his index finger and laughed so hard he almost fell off the chair. It was that shot I was trying to capture...this expression was, I believe, after the orange juice shot in an eye?? Oh Anders.....some day!

Spring Break: Day Six...."The Boardwalk..."

The end of our week led us to the infamous "Kemah Boardwalk". If you've come to visit us...you've been to Kemah! It's gone from being a few resturaunts on the boardwalk to many places, full blown rides and entertainment! We went early and had beignets, coffee and a few rides! If you ever want to visit....come in the Spring! The weather in Houston in Spring is unbelievable!

Spring Break: Day Five...."The Camp Out..."

The big finish. Today we hobbled around looking for parks that weren't saturated by the recent storms (to no avail). We ate warm bagels, raked leaves and went with no naps. The big finish came at the end of the day when the much promised camp out took place. Audra, Gunnar and Daddy are spending the night tucked in the back yard (or in the "big woods"). After talking about camping all week, dreaming about it all day, fixing it up, waiting till dark...Audra finally gets in and when I come out to say good night she says shyly..."I do kind of miss my room, mom?!" aaaaahhhh kids....

Spring Break: Day Four..."The Zoo..."

One can only imagine after three days of rain what the Houston Zoo looked like today?! Mass exodus to see wild animals. Audra has been asking us to go to the zoo for months, so Chris graciously took the day off and we headed in for our ritual. Breakfast at Le Peep and then to the Zoo! This exibit...the Zebras was the sight of our near fatality! Anders joined his siblings on this seemingly harmless fence. He, however, did a 180 over the fence and landed flat on his back in the mud!!! Chris and I sat stun-gunned. Chris swooped him up and Anders didn't even bother with a cry. Parents (whom all happened upon us at the exact time of the "accident") Did not laugh, or say "is he ok?"...they stared us down with horrible looks of "how could you??" Chris and I hurried our way to safety where we laughed so hard it hurt!!

Spring Break: Day Three..."More Rain"

Today marked another day of rain! The three kids looked out longingly at the backyard this morning before breakfast. "more rain mommy?"
So we celebrated by eating in the food court at the Mall! What better way to take on Spring Break by facing the crowds at a tacky mall!! Actually it offered a good "set" for some footage. Mostly of kids eating chewy cookies with chocolate all over their face with pure delight (this resembled my brother's most recent blog???)

Spring Break: "Kids Gone Wild"

This morning we were awakened by our first thunderstorm of the season. It's been dry, so to hear the sound of rain was refreshing. The kids found the one remaining puddle this afternoon to ride their bikes through....then since their feet were dirty they found the hose! They found each other and eventually included Anders in the "unofficial" rainstorm! SPRING BREAK in your own front yard!

Spring Break Episodes... Day One: IKEA

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Spring Break offers a significant amount of material for our script. All three children, no breaks, and good together time. Today's episode was set in the grand palace (a.k.a...IKEA!) This offered Smaland for the older two and a stroller ride for Anders to look for cheap napkins. all in all a good morning!

Happy Birthday Auntie Jann!

Happy Birthday Auntie Jann from your sister and co.!!!
We love you and celebrate you today.
(Introducing additional cast members...pictured far left are "Auntie Jann, cousin Greta, & cousin Tyra...not seen here is "Uncle Dennis"). These cast members are typically seen in episodes once/year as they visit from Minnesota! but are missed all the time!:)

"Fall" into Spring... Episode #52

One of the strange things about living in Houston is that leaf raking happens primarily in the Spring. The old leaves give way to the Spring buds and there is rarely a shortage of leaves to rake. audra seen here, helping her dad, was on their 3rd barrel of leaves this morning. My sister, once quoted a famed writer saying "parenting is like stringing a necklace and not having the other end knotted". That is how it feels to rake our "scrub oak" leaves.... well, and parenting too!

PS...Dana told me to take pictures the other way and I messed up again!! Will try to correct!!:)

And..

And... "Mimi & Poppy" are regulars on the set. They have made too good of a show at "taking care of" their grandchildren. They've been asked, more than once, to spend a week at a time with these little bits while the "mom" & "dad" visit other locations to check out future "on location" scenes (and/our just to rest!!) Currently residing in Alto, NM...they are greatly missed!

(the additional faces in this photo will be introduced shortly, please stay tuned)

Additional Cast Members...

Although only seen on the set for guest appearances, "Grandpa Bob & Mor Mor" are a hit every time and often steal the show. This picture was taken on their most recent visit to the set in early December. We took a "road trip" to San Antonio to see the famed city and when you're with Grandpa Bob there is always McDonald's ice cream cones involved. This was case in point. Anders first taste of the infamous vanilla cone.

If you ever wandered....

Although you'll have to tilt your head to see this one. You'll get the idea. Did you ever wander what it really looked like when kids "hung from the chandlier?" Well Daddy caught "trouble" on his way to his favorite place.
Incident report #103

The three amigos

Now, having read their intensive bios, could you write the script?

Audra: "sit here Anders!"
Gunnar: "Mommy, mommy, let me tell you somping! is there more snack?"
Anders: "aaahh,,...eeaaa"!!

Anders Kristofor...latest addition.

Anders, the most recent addition to the cast was not orignally cast as the third child. However, since coming on board with the family he has taken to his part with precision. The picture tells the story. Anders, literally finds himself in trouble, or in "correction" 90% of the day. My relentless prayer is for his safety. He has : hung from the chandlier, played with BBQ knives, used his brother's toothbrush as a toilet bowl cleaner, gotten out of his crib, poured shampoo all over the carpet (three times) and broken 10 + dishes and counting. He has a smile that soothes the soul and babbles with enthusiasm. He is, with out a doubt a "laugh and a half".

Gunnar Storm Carlson....second born

Gunnar Storm... cast beautifully as the first born son of the Carlsons. He embodies his name. His part calls for a deep sense of loyalty. This translates into an affection for his trains. Since he was 18 months he's held something in both hands at all times. He entertains himself for hours and often finds himself in the middle of conflict (either up or down). No doubt this role is one built for a "hugger". He likes to hug, kiss, snuggle, tickle, touch, nuzzle...anything that involves him touching another person offers him comfort. He has little interest in "academic learning" and much more interest in "life!" I see his role expanding as this year unfolds...