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Fed Ex from Miami!

It all started with a phone call from my mother just as we were walking out the door to go to the dreaded mall. She said a fed ex package was overnighted and was due by 10 am. So, we decided to send me to the grocery store while Rob and the kids waited for the Fed Ex truck. My mom called back and said it was already in route and would be there by 9. Since, I was already in the car on my way, I just ignored that and said I won't be long and we will resume our Saturday plans. Considering I bought the store, I only took about 35 minutes. I thought that was a short trip. I got home and started up the front steps to get Rob, who was already meeting me to help with the groceries. We were chatting with our neighbor when Rob announced, "Well, the Fed Ex just pulled up." I look up and see a regular SUV. I respond, "What, is Fed Ex using regular cars now?" Then, Duh! The car is my grandparents car! It didn't even click until their mini-dachshund got out of the car and ran up to me! I didn't even recognize their car! I am LAME! My mom and grandparents drove up to surprise us for Christmas! My mom got out of the car with "Fed Ex" written on her hand and a check in her fingers from my step-dad and her. They were waiting for me to get out of the store...they practically followed me home! Sneaky sneaks! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME! I mean US! I was so shocked I nearly cried! I couldn't stop laughing as I recalled the zillion phone calls I made to my mom and vice versa yesterday while they were all in the car secretly laughing at their elaborate lies to throw me off their scent! Anyway, what a fun surprise! Christmas day will be so much fun with them here...lets hope we don't all get sick again this year!

Do your duty with a heart full of song!

So, the dreaded duty of attending the holiday work party on a Thursday night was here! Why do I dread this so much? Aside from having to find something fabulous to wear and feel thin in, I have to get ready and not be frazzled on a weeknight. There really isn't an option whether we attend. It is the nature of working your way up in an office. Rob has to be known and respected. This means going to these events with his wife. I wasn't thrilled today and this was my nasty attitude this morning. (I'll admit my error in having a nasty attitude about it.) I was struggling not to call Rob up at work and send him stag to his shindig. What changed by 6 pm you ask? Keep reading.

Well, I had already found my dress and the perfectly matching shoes, I had a free babysitter (thanks, Brynn), and I talked Rob into coming home to give me some semi-alone time to get ready without burning one of the kids with my curling iron. It is amazing how an uninterrupted shower and freshly shaved legs can make it all seem worth it! All of the sudden, I was ready and willing to schmooze with the best of the wives and significant others. The honest truth is the thing that changed it all for me was when my son looked at me in my underwear with my hair and makeup done and said, "Mommy, you look marvelous!" Yep, that's right, "marvelous." It was so sweet it even made up for the 7 tearful fits he threw today because he was tired and unreasonable. He continued to shower me with compliments until he got to the babysitter. Who needs a hubby to think I am gorgeous when my son is so obviously in love with me...should that be a little scary? Isn't there an actual complex about this...Oedipus something or other? Whatever! I will drink up this love and affection until the day that he slams the door in my face with a loud, "mom, get out!" or when he shrugs off my arm from a side hug. It makes me sad to even think about it...so I won't!

All in all, the night was a success! It was great as usual to meet the people Rob works with and to see him in his element. Rob and I had a lot of fun and the food was great. We, sadly, didn't win a $200 gift prize to a spa or mall in the raffle, but we had great conversation and got to feel like a real couple out on the town. So, I did my "duty" and my heart is singing. It's funny how it no longer feels like a duty. Hopefully, I can hold on to that for the next office party! :)

It's been a long hard day...

Carys couldn't take it anymore and this is how she fell asleep. Her face is tucked into her coat perfectly. Luckily I had my camera with me. Mean Mommy should have taken her home for her nap sooner. Just a word on my daughter. Carys has been so much fun lately. She is beginning to talk up a storm. She is deathly afraid of Santa. She even refused a lollipop he gave to Luke to give to her. All Luke had to say was, "Here is a lollipop from Santa, Carys!" Carys screamed and vehemently shook her head no. She will pretend to be Santa and give a whole-hearted, "ho-ho-ho!" I love how she works so hard to express herself and boy can she eat! Anyway, she is my smoochie and I love her! Enjoy the funny picture.

I give these cookies two thumbs up!

So, I am the crazy mom that, according to Rob, spends frivolously on Christmas crafts for kids.
Well, I will admit that some are not worth the money and are more frustrating than they are worth. Not this "color-a-cookie Pre-Baked Cookie Kit!" I originally bought this kit to do with some friends and their kids, but I was so glad I waited to do them with Luke and Carys...not that it wouldn't have been satisfying to do with my friends. :) There are nine cookies in the box that have pictures on them to color. There are food coloring markers/pens that you use to color the picture in and create your edible cookie art. My kids loved it and the kid in me loved it! The markers were really smooth and easy for the kids to hold and use. It does require some monitoring since it would most likely stain a couch or carpet being that it is food coloring. There are different themed kits and we chose Rudolph. We worked for a while and colored all 9 cookies. The only down side was they weren't my favorite cookie to eat. I am sure the crunchiness of the cookies just added to the adventure for the kids. The best part was that Carys kept focused eventhough she stole a bite from many of the cookies before we were finished. I am going to share the cookies. I thought Carys did a great job coloring her cookie...her scribbles were concentrated in the reindeer area. My final note...I give this cookie kit my mother seal of approval! *I got it at Michaels on sale!

I can't figure out how to add picture comments so #1-carys'cookie #2-Luke's cookie #3 kids #4-all of our cookies

Christmas tree part 2

I was very disgruntled about my tree sniffing experience and was regretting not buying the perfectly large and full tree from the local tree lot on that Saturday of Home Depot Horror. The good news is that I am at last pleased! Last year was our first real tree and I spent a lot of time trimming it. I was eager for my family to see it and have a homey holiday for our first year staying here. This year didn't seem to be starting off quite as well. (I know I am ridiculous about the tree, but it is one tradition I carry from my childhood and it means a lot to me that our kids know the joy of searching high and low for the perfect tree.) I thought this tree was going to pale in comparison to last year's tree and that made me sad. Anyway, when this tree was all said and done it was great! I actually like the smaller version and it takes up less space in my living room. Now, I just need the perfect train set to go under it and it will be my mom's tree to a T. (Anyone know where to find one?) Some of my happiest memories are of the Christmas traditions we had as a family. I guess that is why I obsess a little over the season. :) Hey, I can admit that I'm a little nuts! What made this year especially great was that Luke was my little elf and he really trimmed the tree with me. In the end, I know the Christmas spirit is not about the tree. I just find it hard in the hustle and bustle of the season and finals and shopping to keep that jolly joyous feeling. A beautifully lit Christmas tree to sit by and plan your next day of craziness brings me back to the reason for the season and provides a little calm in my life. Anyway, here are my finished products...they aren't perfect by many other's standards, but it is perfectly the way I wanted it. I'll even throw in a picture from last year so you can see the giant tree I compared to. Also, Rob, I forgive you for making me get the tree by myself. I am fully planning that next year you will be merry and willing to "sniff" around for our family tree. :) Love to all and Merry Christmas! Send me pics of your tree as I love seeing everyone's unique style and traditions.

breakfast with santa

Oh to be young again!

Today I find myself envious of my kids, specifically Luke. What would life be like to find fun and games in all you do? It doesn't matter the setting or the tone of what is going on around him, he builds a whole imaginary world of his own. Those of you who have known Luke for a while have heard how he used to make his feet talk to each other in the car to create role play. It would be unsettling except that he is very social and outgoing. I wish I could find the motivation to sit in a basket and laugh while I pretend I was bathing. I wish I could be a "motorcycle hero" and pretend the laundry basket is my car to save crashed bikes that slid on the deck of cards he spread all over the floor to create a slippery terrain. Truly, he can create a world with nearly anything.

Although envious, I can't seem to forget my adult ways and take part too long in his made up world. Maybe it my inability to turn my mind off and rid it of the running "to-do list." It is like having one foot in his world and one foot in mine...I am avoiding mine and not succumbing to his. Boy, wouldn't it be great to turn my chore of vacuuming up Christmas tree needles into a secret mission to suck up the poisonous ants that are invading my house? Then I could stealthily, with acrobatics, move the suction wand to create a clean floor.

My question is when does that ability to imagine and play stop? Teenagers don't really do it. We definitely don't stop enough in life to do it. So, how do we get it back? My goal is to pick a day and just imagine and play all day no matter what adult jobs are to be done. Perhaps it will give a new name to the things I call "chores." It is this innocence and imagination that makes kids unique in this world. It is also one thing that keeps us young as moms of toddlers. I pray that even when Luke is older he will retain some of his creativity and zest for life. It will make the growing up chore much easier. Oh to be young!


-Pic#1: Luke 11-07 Pic #2: Luke 02/07

I hate finals!

Just a quick rant about husbands in school...

I hate finals! I hate them. Truly. I have endured 7 years of finals and I am tired of them. Rob is a bear during this time each semester. Lucky for me one semester's finals usually coincide with Christmas and all the prep work that entails. Let me take you on my journey for the perfect tree! actually, I won't. To sum it up, I ended up going with Luke, my Christmas elf, and got a tree. Would you believe the one guy at Home Depot wouldn't even help me carry it to my car? I even loaded it in all by myself. Needless to say, by the time I got home with the tree I was not a happy camper. I most likely will not be going back there for a tree next year. Going back to my rant... If Rob wasn't studying for finals, I would have had my big strong man to help me with that tree. (in his defense he tried in the morning, but hurt his back after the 2ND tree he lifted...likely story ;) ! ) This is one among many things that are altered during this time in each semester. I won't bore you with my complaining and really would regret it tomorrow if I went on too much. All I can say with certainty is I am glad it is nearly over! Whew!