Archive for December 2007

Friday, December 21, 2007

The ultrasound is scheduled for Jan. 5.  For fun, let's take a poll.  


Since we're heading out of town today, we let Vance open his gifts from us last night.  (The wet substance on his shirt is spilled milk from dinner.)  As you can tell, he wasn't at all excited about anything.  He had a good time playing with all the new toys and it was a bit overwhelming.  Can't imagine what it's going to be like on actual Christmas.  He might blow a gasket.
 
Vance said his favorite toy was his new kitchen.  We also got him the wooden food held together with velcro, so he chopped food and cooked it right up until bedtime.  (He actually loves everything that he got, but the kitchen issue caused a little dispute around here and I just had to mention how much he loves it because I can't be the bigger person right now.  Hee Hee.) 

Like I mentioned before, we're leaving town today.  And I have not packed one thing.  And I still have one gift to make.  And stuff to wrap.  And cookies to frost.  And a million other little things to do.  This is the last thing I should be doing right now, but it will be my last post for a bit.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday.     

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Last night I had a "Girls Night Out" dinner.  I have not voluntarily participated in an all-girls anything since high school.  I enjoyed myself thoroughly.  


Of course, I have a highly-insightful and interesting story about how I met these ladies, but it is a story that will have to wait.  I've got a handful of presents to finish making and I'm running out of time.  And no, Vance's stocking is not done.  

Are you done with your shopping?

Monday, December 17, 2007

Forbes named Madison the second best place to educate children.  STL was number 9.  

The weekend is now officially over, so it's safe to say that everything went very smoothly. Everyone behaved and it was less chaotic this year, since we had a couple of out-of-the-house events planned.  It occurred to me that I didn't take one picture over the weekend, but others did, so I'm sure I can steal some of theirs to share.

Everyone left at the same time on Sunday and it was a hard adjustment to make.  For the first time since Thursday the house was quiet and empty.  Vance keeps asking where everyone went and when will they be coming back home.  It was too hard to hold back tears.  Yesterday was a gloomy day around here.

It's always sad to see everyone leave, but the realization that the weekend was over was even sadder.  Having everyone here as a group is something Justin and I look forward to every year. Words can't express what you each mean to us.  

Being so far away has made us really appreciate the time we do get to spend together. Thanks to everyone for making the trip up.  We had a wonderful time.  

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Tomorrow we are heading up to Chula Vista.  Yes, it's an indoor water park.  There's lots of indoor stuff to do around here, because of, like, the weather, you know?  


Saturday will start off with cookie baking and around mid-morning it will seem like an episode of Survivor.  

Each episode of Survivor starts off with happy group conversations, but then Wham! after the Immunity Challenge groups are seen huddling, wandering off to talk secretly about who they are going to eliminate.  

The women and men here are on separate teams and each try to sneak out as a whole for some adult time.  Since there is going to be more people this time, everyone will have to be a whole lot sneakier.  Amateurs would believe the Snowball Technique would be the smart way to go, but then you risk leaving behind teammates who are in danger of becoming prisoner.  I think the smart way to go is to do it fast like a band-aid.  

Unfortunately, there's not going to be much time for sneaking out because I've reserved bowling lanes at 3:30 for that afternoon.  

I mean, really, what other event would make this Griswoldesque family trip complete?   

Have a great weekend everyone.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Today is Justin's 30th birthday.  Happy Birthday, Old Man!  (He can't read blogs at work, so I'm being nice by not being too mean....)


Like I mentioned before, Vance spilled the beans about his birthday present, so I'm afraid it will be a dull night.  However, I don't think he'll mind because tomorrow begins our 3rd annual Holiday Family Tour and it will be everything besides dull around here.  

15 of our crazy family members will be here to, well, do what we do.  Actually, only 13 of them are crazy.  Justin's parents are joining the fun this year and even though they've been warned, I'm not sure that they will be ready for the chaos that this group can create.  I'm thinking they're going to walk away scratching their heads, questioning what they witnessed over the weekend.  

It's not easy to describe my family.  The family from My Big Fat Greek Wedding comes to mind, except we're not Greek and have never roasted a lamb in the front yard...yet.  We're loud and intertwined in each other's daily business.  Getting together is not a chore and is something we want to do and look forward to.  I'm sure bystanders don't understand our relationship, but oh well.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  

I've run out of time and will continue with the activities for the weekend later.  

        


Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Snow Day

I'm supposed to be doing last minute errands today, getting ready for Justin's birthday and for our 15 visitors this weekend.  Instead, we're snowed in.  3-5 more inches and ice on top.  School has been cancelled today and that's a rarity around here.  Not the best video, but just a little taste of what's going on.   



Friday, December 07, 2007

I'm sitting here with A&D ointment on my knuckles.  


When you have kids your life changes, blah, blah, blah, but no one mentions how much your hand washing increases.  Between diapers, bathroom trips, snacks, meals, and mystery sticky goo on little fingers, my hands are always being scrubbed.  Antibacterial wipes and sanitizing gels after public places just finishes everything off.  My hands are dry, cracked, and screaming for help. 

And the cold weather isn't helping. 

Switching gears now.  No clever segue today.

While Justin was away Vance and I did our birthday shopping.  (Justin turns the big 3-0 on Wednesday.)  Justin left on Sunday afternoon, so I thought if we would shop on Monday Vance would forget about the present by the time Justin returned home on Thursday.  Vance and I talked about the present being a secret and we couldn't tell Daddy until his birthday, etc.

It took about 47 minutes after Justin was home that Vance told Daddy what we had gotten him.  

We were in the car heading to pick up dinner.  Out of the blue, Vance tells Justin, "We have a secret".  My heart drops and I whip around and tell Vance not to tell Daddy.  A couple minutes go by and he blurts out, "We got Daddy a bike".  It must have been eating away at him.  

So, Justin got his birthday present last night.  A new bike.  His last bike was a bright blue GT with pegs.  Front and back pegs, that is.  Why hello, ladies. Need a ride?      

Thursday, December 06, 2007

it's -4 right now and i'm heading to target and the post office.  would be so much nicer if the post office had a drive through.  received the x-mas cards in the mail yesterday - must get stamps.  i know the weather updates are boring, but it's consuming me right now.    

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

4-6 more inches last night.  3+ tomorrow.  

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Stats

  • Vance has seen Santa 2 times this season.  He's terrified of the big guy, won't go anywhere near him, but keeps wanting to go back.  "Need talk to Santa, "I not scared.  I give Santa kiss".  (Of course, I keep telling him we don't need to kiss Santa.  I keep telling him a high five will do...)  We'll try a third time this weekend.  Gotta love his ambition.
  • Supposed to get 4 more inches of snow today/tonight.  
  • 2 more days until Justin gets back
  • Vance has not napped in 3 days.  
  • $109 is the fine that you will earn if you haven't shoveled your sidewalk by noon today.
  • If you ignore the first warning and still don't shovel, the city will do it for you...and give you another $80 fine.  
  • 1 more year until I finish Vance's Christmas stocking, which collectively he calls all stockings "Santa's socks".    
That's all for now.  

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Big Boy Style

I will not tell you that Vance started peeing in the potty on Friday.  By himself.  Standing up.


I also will not tell you that he did it twice again on Saturday and once on Sunday.  

I'm afraid if I talk about it he'll stop doing it.  We had moved potty training to the way back burner since he wasn't really responding and since we had been traveling.  I guess something finally clicked in his little head.  

Continuing this little game, I will not tell you about the 6.2 inches of snow and ice on the ground. 

I also will not tell you that tomorrow's high is in the low 20's and factoring in wind chill it will be in the single digits.  


 

Copyright © Charisa Darling | Premade Blog Design by Lilipop Designs