Trip to the museum

I realize I am in the odds of bloggers all blogging about their hopes for 2009 and things of 2008, after all it is New Year's Eve. But, maybe tomorrow I shall get there. For today you get to see lots of (bad) pictures of Strong National Museum of Play. Every time I type that I get the song stuck in my head!

I know that I only have a point & shoot digital camera, but it is really hard to take pictures in the museum! Some places are dark, some are very bright, and the dark ones don't take to the flash well, as it only lights up what is immediately in front of you, thus leaving dark spots all around. Someday I'll have a great camera and none of that will matter.

But, there will always be 4000 people clamoring about and lots of action, so it will still be hard to take a picture. Kids were always sticking their body parts in my view, or strollers got left there, and kids would not sit still enough for me to snap away. Oh well, it was so much fun. Kian completely enjoyed himself and was so worn out by the end of the day. We spent almost 5 and a half hours there, and we still didn't get through everything. Good thing we have a wonderful membership, courtesy of Jon, so we can go every month! Or more...


I didn't realize pictures were being taken as we were in the silly mirrors:




Kian pointing to Bert, he love, love, loved Sesame Street area!


Welcome to Sesame Street


I love this picture because it looks like Kiara is holding Kian in one hand. They were helping him climb the rock wall.


One of the 3 or 4 toddler only areas, that were great-I didn't have to worry about him being plowed over by some big kids, and it was all foam.


Another toddler area, foam blocks and all


Because we don't have a million books to read at home, you must read them at the museum!


Kian loved this, although he was too little for it yet. You assembled cars as they moved down the conveyor belt. Several big kids (brats!) knocked him over numerous times. (I especially loved how these parents watched it happen and didn't blink or say anything!)


This turned out nice-of me =)


Here's Kiara attempting the Hula Hoops:





Playing old school Atari


This was one of my favorite areas: The Berenstein Bears Village. It was in the back and less crowded and very hands-on for both Kian and Kenny & Kiara. He kept trying to pick up the frog and saying "stuck, stuck".

He was supposed to be selling the apples at the stand, but kept trying to eat them instead.

We had a blast, there was so much to do. Although, I should have listened to Jon when he said "don't come during a school break". There weer more kids, parents and pregnant women than I have ever seen! You could barely move. This did make for a very loud and overstimulating environment. I'll be sure to come some afternoon during the week next time. I'm excited for the Mr. Potato Head exhibit next month. Kian didn't care for the Curious George monkey walking around. He kept saying "bye bye monkey, bye bye". And we only had a minor meltdown when we wouldn't let Kian keep pushing the Atari restart buttons. Overall, a terrific day!

Christmas gifts

Our family gift from my parents:


Friday and Saturday we, including Jon, went to the fish store and Pet Smart and got all the equipment and fish and rocks and decorations to fill it up:



There are 2 angel fish, 2 dalmatian mollies, 2 orange spot tetras, 1 baby neon tetra (his brother was found floating this morning, our first casualty) 2 orange platys (platies?) 2 yellow platy with fancy tails, 1 blue platy with fancy tail and 2 speckled catfish.






I got some kitchen stuff, my stainless steel frying pan and stainless steel stockpot I'd asked for. I'm done with Teflon pans, food still sticks to it and it ends up peeling off, not good for my food or our health. I got the Cars movie for me and Kian-even though he's not into movies or TV yet, someday he'll love that movie I'm sure. Kevin also gave my a nice chef's santoku knife I'd been asking for, and my mp3 player.

Kian was of course spoiled by my parents and Kevin's. He got the Little People town & garage/ramp. Coloring books, crayons, pajamas, books, a farm with animals, a lion towel, a shopping cart with food, and other things I just can't recall right now!

Kevin received a lot of games-Wii beach sports, Wii Simpsons-this after just buying himself Xbox Lego Star Wars game. I got him Simpsons Sorry! and The Christmas Story board game-after the movie-hard to find and I'd never seen it before. It's his all-time favorite movie so it was just perfect. He also got some clothes, a few pairs of gloves, pajamas and some odd random things from his brother. =)

Even though we all said we cut back it seems that we were still very blessed with many things and we are very thankful for all we did receive. It was very nice spending time with family, with the other cousins and grand-kids and watching them open presents. And of course the food was incredible! Christmas eve we had beef on weck with Kevin's family, along with scalloped potatoes, broccoli casserole, jello salad, baked beans and lots of cakes for dessert. On Christmas morning I like to make a breakfast strata with bread, eggs, cheese, sausage or bacon, and whatever vegetables (peppers, mushrooms) I have handy. At my parents on Christmas day we had delicious Prime Rib with twice baked potatoes, asparagus, green beans, salad, and a fantastic cranberry orange apple sauce (think applesauce infused with cranberries and a few orange chunks) and ridiculously tasty and fattening cheesecake for dessert! I seriously think I gained 8 pounds the last 4 days! But, it was worth it, let me tell you! Hope you all had a delicious holiday too!

Christmas pics

Christmas Eve at Kevin's parents. His second suit of the season. So handsome!



With his new backpack


With Grant, grandparents and new backpacks:


Us three, a decent picture!


Not bad of Kevin and I:


Kian & Grant playing with their new toys:


Grandpa with his new hunting hat and Kian's Elmo:


Kian wearing the crazy hunting hat, helping Uncle Paul & Aunt Elissa open gifts:


Kevin's crazy gift from Paul:


A giant stuffed fish. Later, Kian wrestled it like Steve Irwin did the alligators.


With mama's new presents:



Christmas day, opening his potato heads:


Checking out his gifts with daddy:


Now, helping daddy open presents:


Opening a dancing Rock N Roll Elmo from Aunt Neenee:


The gang watching everyone else play Wii at my parents house:

Joe and Kevin look oh so thrilled. =)

We had a busy last few days, Kian did great though. He loved helping everyone else open their presents, but if we reminded him to let them do it he was fine. He didn't have tantrums about anything. He was a great help passing the presents out also. He has been up late and still up early, but did fine without lots of sleep. He doesn't get cranky, he gets crazy!

We still debate the whole Santa thing. Kevin really wants him to believe in or include the whole Santa thing. I really don't, but we made a compromise that we can talk about Santa as the good guy who helps us celebrate Jesus' birthday by helping to give presents to us as we remember the real reason for Christmas. Whatever. We'll just see how it goes. Since he's young he didn't really ask or care where or who they came from. We did say "look what Grandma gave you" or "tell Neenee thank you for your presents" etc. He understood that.

Overall, we received a lot of nice things. Kian of course, got way too much, too much toys, but much needed clothes and pajamas. My parents got us a new fish tank/aquarium. I'll post some pictures tomorrow as we finish setting it up. It's big! I got a lot of kitchen items from Kevin's parents, which was needed, so that was nice. We also received board games, Wii games, and movies, all to keep us busy this winter. Kevin also received some nice gift cards from clients, some which allowed him to "pimp out" the fish tank as he says, and some for us to go to dinner later. It was very nice holiday!

A very Simpsons Christmas

Krusty: So, have a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a kwaazy Kwanza, a tip-top Tet, and a solemn, dignified, Ramadan. And now a word from MY god, our sponsors!


Bart: Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.


Bart: Aren't we forgeting the true meaning of Christmas? You know, the birth of Santa.


Marge: Alright, children. Let me have those letters and I'll send them to Santa's workshop in the North Pole.
Bart: Oh please, there's only one fat guy that brings us presents and his name ain't Santa.


Marge: Dear Friends of the Simpson Family, We had some sadness and some gladness this year. First the sadness: our little cat Snowball was unexpectedly run over and went to Kitty Heaven. But we bought a new little cat, Snowball II, so I guess life goes on. Speaking of life going on, Grampa is still with us, feisty as ever. Maggie is walking by herself, Lisa got straight A's and Bart... well, we love Bart. The magic of the season has touched us all. Homer sends his love. Happy Holidays, The Simpsons.

A busy weekend recap

There is still no excuse for going 5 days without posting a blog. How boring am I? No wonder no one reads this thing. I've been busy at work trying to finish up visits, calls, notes and turn my records in for review by the supervisors. I have also delivered gifts to very grateful families to make their Christmas a little brighter. Admittedly, it's a pain for me. I have to do paperwork to sign them up, then make sure gifts arrive (luckily, other people at work obtain the gifts and donations by big name companies, ones that start with K, W and X) and then I have to make sure I fit in time to deliver these gifts, in the crappy weather, on city streets that aren't plowed. But, let me tell you, when the parents are so appreciative, and get teary-eyed, and the kids get excited because they know I'm bringing gifts-it is worth it!



Sunday we had a Christmas party at my grandma's with the aunts and uncles and lots of cousins. Kian seems to enjoy it, especially watching the other kids. He isn't too thrilled about people touching his stuff right now so that can get tricky. We've cut back to only the young kids get a small gift or two, there's just too many people--and that's only one side of the family! Santa made a surprise arrival and the kids were in awe. Only 2 people knew Santa was coming, the rest of us were very surprised. Kian was not too sure about this dude, he did eventually let Kiara put him on Santa's lap, but there there was no way he was going to look at Santa too! His favorite gift? No one would believe me when I told them to buy this: a broom!

He follows me around saying "help, help" he wants to help me sweep, so now he has his own!

Saturday we didn't do much of anything, and it was nice! We had Kevin's client/our friend over for lunch and made some delicious paninis! Yay for Wegmans having pre-made cheese spreads that are amazing on chicken paninis. Have I told you yet how much I adore that store? Saturday was the nicest day weather-wise, but still had us shoveling and snow-blowing. Thank goodness we have the snow blower now! It was either shovel your butt off or pray the neighbor would be kind enough to plow us out. Unfortunately, Kevin's grandma went into the nursing home last winter, but fortunately for us, we got her snow blower! It's been so great to have, especially on...

Friday! Oh, Lord, what a day Friday was! The meteorologists were calling for a storm (blizzard I'd say) but none of us were so sure they would be right. Well, they were. I left home Friday and it was clear and almost sunny, with dry roads. I was at work for less than an hour and it started to snow a bit. Then I had to drive out to Webster--yuck! It just kept getting worse and worse. Driving back from Webster to my office in the city, all the roads were snow covered now and no one could tell where the lanes were for 490.




We were to have our department Christmas party that afternoon at the director's house in Hilton. Yeah, except that Hilton is where lots of snow was piling up with winds and nastiness. So they changed it for us to just have a quick lunch party in our offices. All the while, we're watching this blizzard come through the city outside the windows, making me very nervous. I received the call from the daycare that they were closing early and made my exit. This meant that I missed Kian's Christmas party at daycare, which they shortened anyway.

I brushed off inches of snow on my car and headed home, only to wait almost a half an hour on the inner loop ramp to 490 West. West because I live west of the city and I needed to drive west. Then, a police car comes up and blocks off the ramp to 490 West, which I needed to go west, because I live west right? I am forced to go 490 East. Grr! At this point it was snowing very hard and the wipers were working overtime but it was still freezing on the windshield and building up. Roads are not plowed yet, the plows just can't keep up and there are accidents everywhere. Of course the radios were not relaying traffic information about which roads might be closed, so I didn't know if I should take another expressway only to run into obscene amounts of traffic there too.


I hopped off 490 East and backtracked through the city, winding my way west. Normally, the roads I took I wouldn't be so hot on taking (Ford, Jefferson, Macree) but since the city had some to a standstill I was safe. I finally got to Main Street after an hour and a half. Yes, the normal 10 minute drive from my office to Main street took and hour and a half! None of the city streets were plowed. There was about 4-6+ inches on these roads. During every red light the entire line of cars, including yours truly, would park their cars, jump out with their brushes and rush around freeing their wipers off ice and dusting off the snow that just kept piling up. Finally I was able to get Main Street to Buffalo road, which I knew would be clearer than some roads, into Gates and on into North Chili to pick up Kian at daycare. I made it there with 20 minutes to spare before they closed. It only took me just over 2 hours to get home. The normal 15-20 minute drive took over 2 hours. It was more annoying than scary. I had to just gun it in the driveway and hope the van would make it through the foot of snow. I dragged the snow blower out of the garage and drove in and shut the storm out behind me. Whew! Nothing a little grilled cheese, tomato soup and Miracle On 34th Street couldn't take care of!



This week promises to be just as full: Tuesday Kian has his 18 month well child check up. I love taking him there to prove to the doctor my child is smart and has great language and weighs the right amount. Especially since they gave me grief a few times about him being thin. And since I don't think the doctor likes me, especially since I won't let them pump my child's veins full of...I'll be nice and not say poison...junk. hehe. I dread these visits, I feel like I have to look extra good and so does Kian and he has to be extra smart because they already judged me as a parent and person on my vaccine free status. I'll let Kian's intelligence speak for itself =)

Wednesday includes baking dessert for Christmas Eve dinner, finishing wrapping any gifts, getting them under the tree, keeping the cats away from them, baking bread for Christmas day dinner, finishing sewing one last gift; then we will be going to Kevin's parents for dinner, church and gifts.

Christmas- we spend half the day here, lounging around, opening gifts, eating delicious breakfast strata, cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. Then we trek out to my parents house for lots more of the eating, feasting, unwrapping.

Friday-we rest! And see Jon at some point, because I got him an awesomest gift. I am now on vacation for 2 weeks and I am so excited. I haven't really taken time off since I went back to work in April so this feels deserved! I think we'll take Kian to the museum at some point, thanks to our membership and Jon! I suppose since it is now Tuesday I should get to bed so I will be able to do all these things I have planned.

Crazy Bumperstickers

There are some wacky bumper stickers out there, but the ones I saw yesterday while picking Kian up were the weirdest I've seen in a long time. Trying not to get too close, but yet close enough to read the ones on the back of a beat up pick up truck, I see:

"I'm not wearing any pants"

And on the other side:

"Nuttier than a squirrel's turd"

What??? I don't even get it. It made me laugh, but I was trying to figure out what kind of person has these on their car. Oy. Now tell me some of the wackiest ones you've seen!

PS: I haven't sent my Christmas cards yet, I'm terrible.

Teething

I am exhausted so I hope that this blog types itself, with no errors. Kian's had a nasty yeast diaper rash this past week and we're still battling it. It is almost gone, but it's painful for him. We've got the Nystatin prescription cream, we've got herbal remedies (comfrey and lanolin mixed into a salve have worked wonders!) we've cut back on his dairy and sugar and he's been taking acidophilus/probiotics to combat the yeast in his system. We're on the way to better. I will spare you the details of what happened when I let him nap diaper-free on Sunday and we didn't get him in time... Let's just say there was lots of laundry, bathing, crib washing...you get the idea. Kevin freaked, I laughed.

But, now we're dealing with teething. He's getting those 4 canine, eye, cuspid, whatever you call them, teeth! All at once. His gums are very swollen and he keeps asking "eat, eat". But, he doesn't really want to eat, he just wants to chew on things to make them feel better. The thing that seems to make it feel better are chewing on book corners (they fit up in that sore spot nicely I guess) and chewing on silverware. Whatever. I know he doesn't have pica so I'm not too worried.

He wouldn't fall asleep last night, kept talking and fidgeting. I went on the treadmill for 20 mins and he still was awake at 9 pm. I have a rule that I don't take him out of his room after he's supposed to be down for nap or night. I will rock him and read him a book but I never take him out of his room. I did that a few times. Then when we wanted to go to bed around 10 he started crying and screaming. Finally I got him to say his mouth hurt, he didn't understand when I asked if his teeth hurt. I gave him Tylenol. Then I let him come in our bed for awhile. That was wonderful because he likes to sleep with his head by our feet, sticking his feet in our face, on top of the covers. Not working so much.

After it was obvious the Tylenol wasn't working, I gave him ibuprofen at 11 pm, then had to wait a bit for that to kick in. Miracle of miracles, it worked and he was out...at midnight! But, in his own bed, sound asleep.

Now, I am going to be late to work, and he will be miserable when I go wake him up in a few minutes. And we have to drive through wretched snowy roads. Thanks Rochester. But! But! There are only 3 more work days left, and Christmas is only a week away. It's all good!

Baking Fest 2008


Savannah stirring fudge




Don't ask why my sister is grabbing my mom's butt...


The decorating table mess


Kiara & Kian making ginerbread houses



Kian's finished product



Kenny


Kourt modeling such fancy aprons


Neenee and Kian


Savannah-exhausted after 8 hours of baking!


Cooking Class 101 video

Clearly, Food Network has already signed us on for 10 seasons, beginning in January 2009. Thankfully, they are also providing a decent camera crew with a tripod so there will be less tremors and shaking on the real food show when it hits our international audiences. I think you all will have a better understanding how to make cinnamon rolls now.


Overheard...

While going to pick up Kian at daycare yesterday I walked past the kindergarten room. I think. I don't pay much attention to the other rooms, but they looked about 4 or 5 years old. There was three boys and a little girl in the corner of the room playing in the kitchen and "home" area. At first I was impressed there were so many boys in that play area, which is normally overtaken by the girls.

Just as I passed the door, I heard one little boy say: "Raise your hand if you want to be the mom". I heard a few "me's" and "I do's". Then. Then he said "Well, if you're the mom, you have to stay home and watch the kids then". I busted up laughing. Oh, if only it were that simple my little friend.

Cutest baby ever?

Yes, he's a mess. No, I don't normally let him paint, read and eat at the same time.

But, since he knows he's the cutest baby ever, we'd better share with the rest of the world:

Cookie & weekend Plans

This weekend I am going to take Kian to Garden Factory for the Christmas festivities. There is a Santa there (the guy from work calls him Satan Clause hehe makes me laugh. He's like me and doesn't care about Santa.) Where was I? Oh, Santa there, there's also a big train set up, mini carousel rides for kids, big slides, crafts, and who knows what else. Duh, I know what else. There will be animals! Humane Society comes and the Alpaca farms bring...alpacas, like llama things right? And animal Christmas presents will be sold.

We wrapped all the presents on Sunday, so we only have 2 small things left to buy and wrap. I guess I need to redecorate my tree...Again! Thanks Kian. Let's see, presents bought, wrapped, cookies to be made, what else? Cards! I need to get on that, buying stamps and cards and getting pictures of Kian in them, or made of them. I want to have Kian maybe do some art for a card, or is that too much?

Then, soon, the fam and I are having a cookie fest. Savannah, Patrick, Kourt & the kids, maybe my mom will come up and we're going to bake our butts off. On my list is: Cranberry Chocolate chip cookies, sugar roll out cookies, gingerbread men, gingerbread house (?) and chex mix. Savannah requested fudge. And I know mom will want the Italian walnut/wedding (something?) cookies. I also have cinnamon rolls a la Pioneer Woman on my list. Can you smell it? Can you taste it yet? Feel the heat of the oven, burn a finger or 3. There will be frosting and food coloring from floor to ceiling, wall to wall. Oh it will be great.

Just wanted you to share in my exhilarating and exhausting plans. But, really it looks like I am way ahead of myself already. I still have 2 weekends left before Christmas and not that much to do. That will be awesome, I can actually just R E L A X! But, before relaxation comes.......wretched work week. Wish me luck...

Weekend Update

But, I'm not Tina Fey.

I've been busy posting some recipes on my other blog. The one I titled Krysten's Kitchen and haven't touched since April. What's wrong with me?! I've been cooking up a storm since then. So check out some cookie recipes, a chicken wing recipe, and some Thanksgiving recipes!

So, let's see. This past week Kian got his pictures taken at daycare. I really wanted to take him to Amanda at Chesler's for their Santa pictures in November. But, he had that nasty gash on his forehead, that was all glued up and healing and I didn't want great, professional pictures done with that. I know, I know, there is photoshop and all that things but I was a bit worried. Once the glue was gone it was much better, but the timing just didn't work out. Anyway, Pearce does "school pictures" and I didn't get to choose a background or any packages yet. They had a light blue background and then a toy shelf-kind of Christmassy-background. I guess what they do is take the child with each background and then send tons of pictures home and you pick what you want, pay for what you want, and return the rest. Or, something like that. It's way different from when I was in school and we brought home the flyer and mom filled out the back and stuffed the check in there. But, the teachers' said that Kian did awesome. He was the only one in his class that smiled. Miss Angela said that he kept running back out on the backdrops when it was the other kids' turn, trying to get back in front of the camera. The ham. She also said he posed for them. While most kids just sat there with legs out in front, he leaned back on one arm and smiled big. So, it sounds like they will turn out okay. But, it's a tad close to Christmas for my liking! I wanted them done earlier so I can put them in Christmas cards! Eek!

Yesterday, we went out to see Kevin's grandma at the nursing home and give her a Christmas gift. Can I just tell you, again, how much I hate nursing homes? It smelled like pee in there so bad! Her room was nice and clean and smelled like her lotions and candle, but the rest of it-whew! And they line up all the residents in the hallways, on their beds, it's very odd! And it seems like a fire hazard to me! Kian did fairly well seeing the room is about 8x8 with her shelf of glass knick-knacks! We just got her a small radio/CD player so she can listen to her Christmas music. Nothing big, there's not really room to get her anything, and really, she doesn't need anything. But, especially since we don't see her often, I felt like we should get her something.

Today we made a Wal-mart run. Again, after I went on Wednesday. Oops! But, I think we are 98% done with Christmas shopping. I found Kenny a present and Kevin found his dad one. Now we need one more small thing for his dad. And I'm trying to think of something small for the grandma's. Hmm... I also got a box of shatterproof ornaments/balls from Wal-mart, seeing that Kian has broken 2 of ours. He has also "undecorated" the entire bottom half of my tree-about 6 times! He loves the tree, but can't keep his hands off it.

We put a small, ceramic (old school! like everyone in 1950 had!) light up tree in his room. It's perfect because it's not as bright as the night light, which means he'll sleep good, and he loves it in there and looks forward to going to bed. He's going to bed great lately. After the 3 days of post-pacifier termination, he's done great. He's never asked for it, even when he saw Carrie's baby with hers. He's been totally fine. Yay! Tonight, I was rocking him after reading a book, and usually I sing a song to him before laying him down. He looked at me and goes "night, night". So I asked him if he wanted to go to bed and he didn't say no (we haven't got to yes yet) so I laid him down and he was fine.
Saturday he woke up early, after going to bed late, and I had a horrible migraine so we laid down about 10:30 for a nap. He looked at me after we got all tucked in and goes "night, night mama" and went to sleep. He also did it this afternoon when I put him for a nap. I thought he was sleeping right away and went in to cover him up. He was just drifting off, but looked up at me as I put the blankets on him and said "night, night" and closed his eyes. He's too much lately!
He is using small sentences, 2-3 words and trying to tell little stories. When he gives us the story we aren't exactly sure what he's saying except we'll get the mama, or dada or cat part. Most of his words are very clear. He scolds the cats like we do: "get down Rocky!" or "no, no Rocky, no!" The funny thing is that both cats are "Rocky" and we aren't sure why. He calls them cat (which sounds like cot) or Rocky, he can say Ace's name though, so not sure where that came from. Off is "owsh" and just recently he began putting t's on the end of things that should have p's. But, he can say p, and used to say help just fine, suddenly it's "helt" and soup is "suit". Whatever kiddo.
He loves to dance and turns on any toy that makes music to dance to it. I definitely need to get it on video. He loves it more when we dance with him.
I made the mistake of showing him Elmo and Sesame street website and now he constantly climbs on the computer, points to the monitor and says "Elmo!" then proceeds to click the mouse and bang on the keyboard. Luckily he hasn't ruined anything-yet. He also knows how to turn on the TV and his V-smile baby game/learning system. He sees us do something once and that's it, he's got it down. Which means, we have to be very careful!

I'm planning some cookie making next weekend I think with mom, Savannah and Kourt and maybe Patrick and the kids. I'd love to make a gingerbread house, it just sounds fun and I've never done it. Not those graham cracker fake things either! We shall see. So, I am planning my list of cookies to make and how much more flour I'll need. BJ's, here I come!

Oh! We paid $1.85 for gas today! It's crazy. I haven't seen it this low in...I can't remember how long. Since I had my Cavalier 2.5 years ago? Who knows. It's great!

My next two weeks of work don't look that bad, but I have a lot to cram in them so I can take off 2 weeks of vacation! That is what I am most excited for! We still don't have a direct supervisor hired yet. They are still in the initial stages of screening a few applicants. That will be interesting. Nerve-wracking because we've done things one way for so long, but they're not always the right way. It's going to be good, but probably a bit challenging. Although the Associate director is doing a good job, it'd be nice to actually have a supervisor soon!

I think winter has finally hit us here in Rochester! It was blowing and snowing like crazy this morning-and freezing! Brr! We got out of it for awhile, but I think it's here to stay. I don't mind winter or snow, just not to drive in! Stay off the road snow and we can be friends! Once there is a bit and it's not so freezing and windy I'll take Kian out in his sled-he'll love it!

Well, I must go prepare for the week, and get ready for bed. And finish my Christmas list so Kevin can get shopping. I put a baby sister for Kian on there, think I'll get it? ha. =)

One thing I am not

At work I get called Martha Stewart, chef, culinary expert, nature freak, fitness know-it-all, doctor, artist, creative, supervisor, goddess, innovative, efficient, smart, brilliant... well you get the picture. But, the one thing I am not good at is: 1. asking for help, 2. asking for help even after I've tried numerous times and not succeeded (I don't like saying "failed".) and 3. admitting defeat, as in by letting someone else take over.

Yes, it's this blog. It will be the death of me yet. And by death I mean I'll scream and cry and swear off blogging for life, only to return a few days later and have a mental breakdown. Crazy or senile? Or maybe a little from column a and a little from column b. But, will I ask for help? No. I'm stubborn like that. So is my husband. So is my child. This house may fall down before we give in. Yikes!

Anyway, the point of the story is (because Kevin often asks me what the point of my stories are There is no point, I like stories.) I want to figure out how to make my blog look cool like the rest of blogger world. But, a. I refuse to pay for it, b. I want to do it myself and c. I'm not cool so why try? I know how to make little headliners and title pictures and what nots. It's the dang html and css coding that I know nothing of. And to be quite honest, I have no desire to learn...until I view my own blog. I'll just probably keep going and trying to find free templates and hook them up on my blog until one day I stay up way past my bedtime and finally realize in the wee morning hours there's a tutorial online telling me exactly how to do it and I'll do it, and it will still stink.

But, I am okay with that. I am okay with me, and therefore, I am okay with having a mediocre, blah-looking, amateurish blog. Because, like I said before, I am a master in so many other things, they adore me.

One more thing, I might have to start a contest to see who can pick up on the Simpsons' quotations in all my blogs. It's just not fun when no one else gets it, besides Jon of course.

Thankful--a bit late

All month I kept reminding myself to blog about thankfulness, and what I was thankful for, and why it does a heart good to be grateful. I reminded it right out of my brain.

I loved Tulip Girl's November blogs, she posted 2-4 things (small or big) each day that she was thankful for, for the entire month of November! Honestly, I wanted to steal her idea, but then didn't want to be so obvious, and now I have nothing. Until now.

Everyone has their list of what they are thankful for and it typically includes family, friends, a home, a job, financial resources, children, pets, etc. I am extremely grateful for my family, my parents and in-laws who help us out and watch children, who help us supply and supplement our home; for friends to laugh with and cry with, to commiserate about work with; for my husband who works hard-too hard most of the time, and willingly gets up before the rest of the world in the dark; for my beautiful, happy, oh-so-smart (not such a) baby boy, who is just pure joy; for having a job; for being able to make ends meet; for Jon who willingly, even eagerly, yearns to drag our tree from a far field and stand in the blizzards with numb fingers to hang our lights each year. =)

I'm thankful. I'm learning to always be thankful. I'm thankful for those life lessons and the humility they bring me daily. I'm thankful for grace and mercy when I stumble and make mistakes. I'm thankful I can get back up again and continue on. Being thankful isn't a once a year "thing". It is an every day thing. Thankfulness is action, it's a verb, but it doesn't always come easily. I've learned in the past year through some difficult events and changes to be thankful in the dark times too. That whatever the outcome, I am loved, I am promised grace, promised eternity and joy no matter the circumstance. I am trying to practice thankfulness daily and to let others know my appreciation. it's easy to get caught up in day-to-day life and forget to show others their importance in my life. I challenge you to do the same.

And there are some fluff things I am thankful for too:
The first snowflakes of the season
Pink and orange sunsets
Kittens with pink noses
Rabbits and soft bunny fur
Bright yellow daffodils poking out of icy, brown ground
Aroma and taste of warm, fresh-baked bread
Warm, spiced cider
Christmas paper with bows
Wegmans
Cats who sleep on my feet and keep them warm at night
cell phones
good day cares and teachers who care
baby kisses
baby toes
being called 'mama'
bonfires and marshmallows
hammocks in the warm summer nights
stars on a clear, cloudless night
rocking chairs
burp cloths
cloth diapers
garage sales
hand-me-downs
Wegmans
dishwashers
video cameras
pictures
candles
lip gloss
baby curls
big, blue baby eyes
tight hugs
snuggles under the covers
white out
email
walks
the beach
sand, but not in my house or shoes
bare toes-everywhere
wood stoves
flexible jobs
my *gasp* minivan which holds way too much
Kevin cleaning out the litter box every week
recycling
Organic food
Wegmans
Wegmans Nature's Marketplace with my organic foods
foods without hormones or antibiotics
hot tea with honey
Freedom
United States soldiers
books
libraries
free memberships to zoos and museums! (thanks Jon!)
I guess I could go on and on and on... you get my idea!

New Tradition

I've decided on a new tradition: watching one, or a couple, Christmas movies each weekend. I know, I know, whoa, way to pull out the stops out right? But, while decorating this past weekend I finally realized just how many movies we have and how many we have never watched, let alone opened. I always try to catch them on directTv and miss them. So, duh! Each Saturday night will be turned into a movie theater night, complete with popcorn, hot chocolate, roaring fire, blankets and dim lights as we watch Bing dance across White Christmas, and tell Virginia there is a Santa Claus, and hear Linus narrate the first Christmas story... Sounds perfect to me. You?


Oh and if you want to know the best toys this Christmas, as in the ones with the least amount of lead, and other chemicals, check out HealthyToys.org at this specific list: http://www.healthytoys.org/product.least.php

Work work work

This month, although it has 31 days, is short. Short work month because I am taking off almost 2 weeks from work around Christmastime. I usually try to take off at least a week around Christmas. I hate when time seems to fly by around the holidays and I can't enjoy it fully.

But, this means that I have to put my butt into super-high overdrive and get a ton of stuff done by the 23rd. Eek! Luckily, my required meetings for the month of December aer minimal. But, there aer still lots of calls to make, people to take care of, therapists to contact, parents to appease, you get the idea. And, since I still have notes from November to put in the computer, I best get going!!

Because, not only is there work to do at work, but there's work to do at home, Christmas baking to start, and presents to finish buying. Even though we've drastically cut our gift buying/exchanging, I still have 2 immediate members to buy for. I know, that's not much, but it's one more thing I want to check off my list!

Let the craziness begin!