Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas

Christmas was fantastic. I am not sure where to start. Chad and I have both have 2 weeks off of work, so there has been a lot going on. The pre-Christmas was spent baking and playing in the snow and singing Christmas songs. Christmas eve evening we went to church then got everything ready for Santa and his reindeer to come (put the reindeer food outside, leave milk/Juice, and cookies for Santa and of course carrots for the reindeer. We were out of large carrots, but I believe that the reindeer really enjoyed the pile of shredded carrots we left (less chewing necessary).

On Christmas, the MJ got up around 7 am then went and woke up CR. The boys opened the presents sooo slow. They opened one or two, then they wanted to play with them. It ended up taking us hours and spilled into the next day. We then went to G/G Troast's for Christmas dinner with them. The next day we chilled, then we headed for Lafayette, IN for several days there. We had Christmas at the Wiggins Farm, which is always a good time. Then we spent time with G/G Smit and had Christmas there. So many Christmas', so little time. Thank you everyone for everything!

Having a 4 and 2-year old really is magically at Christmas. The only thing I would have changed is CR wouldn't have had pink eye and MJ wouldn't have puked as soon as we got home from Indiana and all the next day or so.

Back to my lounging now.
Merry Christmas to all!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Friday was a snow day...







...the boys school was closed and my work was closed (chad was a trooper and went to work). Of course, the boys wanted to go outside and play as soon as they got up. We were outside raging by 9am. Much to MJ's dismay, it was not packing snow (no frosty), but we made a snow fort, went sledding, played on the snow-filled swing set, cleared the driveway, etc. It was noon and I was ready to pass out in exhaustion, but these kids were still going. Then my 2 boys and the next door neighbor wanted me to pull all 3 of them on the sled at one time. For some reason, I think I am real real strong and spry and that pulling 100+ pounds in the snow is no problem. I almost died. I was so sore that night, I could barely walk. So, when Cousin D and Nisi showed up to make Christmas cookies with us, it was a much needed break for us (me)! It was very fun. I think I enjoy playing in the snow as much, if not more, than the kids! I love snow days. It is just like being a kid again..still.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

AWD and a snowy day

I am thankful.
It has been snowing a lot lately. I am thankful for 1) heat in my car 2)AWD in my car 3)an understanding daycare when you show up late during a snow storm and 4) my wonderful boys who understand that I want to get to them as much as they want me to get there....did I mention how thankful I am for AWD yet??
This is my first AWD vehicle. It is amazing. I can drive without white knuckling it.
I am thankful.
We are supposed to get between 6 and 14 inches of snow tonight. Daycare already closed for tomorrow, so I am off of work too! I hope it is good packing snow! I plan to spend the say sledding, making snowmen and angels, and baking cookies. These are the things I love about winter.

Friday, December 12, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NISI!


Happy Birthday Big Sister!
I love this picture of you taking care of CR at his first B-Day party. Things were a little crazy that day!
Thanks for being my sister. Have a great day!
JP

'Tis the Season to be Silly...




...Fa La La La La La La La La!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Teasing Anyone....

Please read the below by MJ in the most teasing 4-year old voice you can. It goes like this:
MJ: "Hey CR....My brother's a llama, no he is not, he is the cutest girl on the block".


Please read the following in the most high pitched upset 2-year old voice you can:
CR: "Mama, Tell him to STOP"!

CR: "I am not a GIRL"!

Yep. The biggest insult is being called a girl. I am not sure how I feel about that. I keep reminding them that I am a girl, but it doesn't seem to sink in or matter.

Yo Yo! It is Santa Baby to you! Thanks Kim!




A woman I work with made these adoreable Santa hats and matchng gloves for the boys. Thank you Kim! Aren't they awesome! The boys loved them and danced around with them. They now go by Santa.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

CR and his "fake" tree

CR: "Mama, Our christmas tree is fake.
Me: "Remember when we cut it down from the tree farm? It is a real tree."
CR: "It don't have a mouth and it doesn't talk, so it is a fake tree"

His mind trying to figure out what is real and what is not real. Things that "talk" are real.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

MJ's Word

I went to wake MJ up Friday for school. He looked at me and said (in his tired voice), "mom, you are not the best mom in the world". I felt my heart sink and I was trying to figure out what to say when he said, "your the best mom in the universe"! Those words carried me through the day! Thanks buddy.

Monday, December 1, 2008

The Excitement of the Seasons!

Can't you hear the boys saying "run, so mom can't get a picture of us together!" Actually, they were just excited to play in the snow!
MJ about to throw another snowball at me. Why is it so much fun to get mom with snowballs?

CR shoveling the driveway!
Last night we got our first measurable snowfall of the season. I would guess we received about 6 inches of snow overnight. This morning Chad had left for work already and I hopped in the shower while the boys were still sleeping (after going downstairs to get a cup of coffee of course). I glanced outside and saw all the white snow, then I turned up the heat. While I was half way through my shower, the curtain flew open, and MJ was standing there and his eyes were as big as snowballs and his face was full of pure child excitement! MJ said "MOM, you gotta get out here and see this!" I quickly realized that my hair wasn't going to get conditioned today and my legs will have to wait until tomorrow. I jumped out and threw on a robe...MJ was starring outside at all the snow. Then he said, this was news CR would want to know. He ran to CR's room (as I hurried to get dress) and woke him to tell him the wonderful news that the snow has fallen. CR emerged from his room a few minutes later with MJ. This time CR says "come on...I show you something". He pointed to the snow and his eyes were twinkling and he said "we can make a frosty the snowman???" Yes, this is what the seasons are about. As each season begins, so does a new and renewed level of excitement for life and nature and a simple reminder that yes, it really is the small things. We went outside for about an hour this morning and the boys "helped" me shovel the driveway. I anticipate more snow play this afternoon.
Happy snowfall to all, and to all a great day!

Christmas Tree

Yesterday we went to the Christmas Tree Farm and picked out our Christmas Tree. MJ helped Chad cut down the tree and CR held onto Chad to "make sure he was ok". It was fun. When we got home we decorated the tree and chilled the rest of the day. Happy Christmas Season to all and to all a Merry Christmas!