Archive for December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Out with the old! Ready for the new!

Here's where we wrap the year up.


I'm still searching for a word to call 2009. Except for saying goodbye to Daisy, I wouldn't call it a bad year - we're all healthy, Justin has a good job, tra la la. However, this year has tested our limits and has been all around more trying than others for us. Whatever you call it, I'm happy to be putting it behind us.

Things that have tested our limits, A List!:
  • Vaughn. We wouldn't trade her for the world, but she's been an intense baby.
  • Justin's traveling. Not counting the traveling within the States, he's clocked three trips to India and one to Hong Kong.
  • Not having a babysitter or any nearby help with the kids.
  • Our geographical location. We're not digging where we are now. This one is huge and so many frustrations have stemmed from here.
Bring it on 2010. We're ready for some positive changes!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Two mornings ago I discovered that Vaughn had done something with my hairbrush. I still can't find it and have been using some urchin-like, pop out travel brush ever since.

Last night I put Vance in charge of making the salad. When it came time for the tongs I couldn't find them. He says, "Oh yeah! They're under my bed!"

The children are slowly taking over.

Which is apparently just natural order, because, after thinking about it, I still have some "borrowed" items from my mom around here.

I wouldn't consider this house normal by any means, but at least we're on the right track.

Now onto finding my brush. That's one of the Goals of The Day. Another goal is to pick up my new jeans from the alteration lady. I'm pretty excited to finally have one pair of pants that fit. I know none of you are excited by this. Let's move on to something just as unimportant.

My Timesaver Tip of the Day is to tell you that the Dierberg's closest to me is out of Party Rye bread. (I never knew it was called Party Rye. This is what the Dierberg's people called it. I like it a whole lot better now with that sassy title.) If I knew this I would have saved myself and the kids a bunch of hassle yesterday. I love visiting 3 grocery stores in one day.

Enjoy the snow. I sure am.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I'm feeling a little Richard Pryorish.


Even with all the new toys, the kids just want to play with me.

I am The Toy.

.................................................

Today? The kids and I will be battling each other at the grocery store. I haven't been shopping since before Christmas, so we're out of everything. I'm still planning meals, so I don't even know what I'm getting. I'd try planning them now, but Vance is next to me and is waiting for me to play Tic Tac Toe with him. Guess we'll just wing it at the store!

Have a good day!


Monday, December 28, 2009

This and That: Random List of the Day


  • Betty came through both surgeries like a champ. She's still in the hospital recovering.
  • While packing up Christmas decorations up I debated whether or not to go through all of them and toss out the old decorations that we don't use anymore. I took the lazy road and decided to save that task for next year.
  • We did get rid of our old tree. It was our first tree that we bought together and it was sad to see it go.
  • Had big plans on going to the grocery store, bank, and exercising today. The kids and I haven't fired a shot yet.
  • When I finish this Vance and I are going to use the Crayon Maker that he got for Christmas.
  • Have been trying to come up with ideas for our New Years Eve menu.
  • Am looking forward to the New Year and for what it brings our way.
  • My heart is heavy for a friend who received some bad news today. My thoughts have been with her and her family today.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Blue Eyes


These will either keep her out of trouble or get her into trouble.


Saturday, December 26, 2009

Boxes

You know what they say about kids playing more with the boxes than the actual toys?

Welcome, Christmas 2009!

The kids got boxes (with awesome, personalized bean bag chairs) from my parents and were a hit. They played in the boxes. All. Day. Long.

I'm sure if you'd ask Vance about his bean bag chair he'd have no idea what you were talking about.









Next year we'll really blow their minds and get them refrigerator boxes.

Christmas 2009





Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Pasts

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Let's take a look back!

Vance's first Christmas, 2005.

Isn't it crazy how much difference a year makes! 2006

Vaughnie is cookin! 2007

2008


Here's hoping that we can get a good picture tonight!

Vance may self implode today out of sheer excitement. He finally gets the whole Santa thing this year and he could hardly lay (lie?) still last night in bed. "For real? Santa's coming tomorrow night? For real, Mommy?"

The Men did their Manetizer shopping last night. Happy hour will be starting at 4:00 this afternoon. Feel free to stop by.

My mom received her Wen order yesterday, so I'll be test driving that shortly.

Please keep Betty in your thoughts today too. She'll be undergoing the actual hip surgery today.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Manetizers

Nothing but silly business around here.


The Men are gathering tonight to go grocery shopping for their Christmas Eve Manetizers.

Long story short: We used to have heavy appetizers for Christmas Eve dinner. A few years ago we switched gears and started to do lasagnas and salad because it was easier.

The Men are wanting their appetizers back, so they're taking control of this portion of the night. They'll be shopping, preparing, and handling all clean-up of their creations. (The women are still making lasagnas.)

Wonder what they'll come up with? I'll let you know!



Monday, December 21, 2009

Betty

Tuesday update: Betty's surgery was rescheduled and is happening today (Tuesday). Please send healing thoughts her way!

Our thoughts are with Betty today. She fell and broke her hip on Friday night and is having surgery today. Please keep her in mind today and hope for a successful surgery!

We love you, Betty!

Cookie Making Day 2009

The kids are usually the origin of the chaos that surrounds our family events. However, with the majority of the kids getting older, the chaos is dying down a bit.

This year's Cookie Making Day was one of the calmest that we've had.

Here's Vance checking out the gingerbread houses.

Here's a messy-looking Vaughn.

While trying to get a picture of the "before" gingerbread houses, I captured the first conflict of the day. My dad wasn't minding the butter/crisco ratio that my mom is comfortable with. We usually keep a close eye on him while baking, but Justin had sidetracked my mom with sandwich inquiries. Don't you worry, Deb got her ratio.

Charity supervising.

Gingerbread house construction. Vaughn scavenged for all the candy that was dropped on the floor.


We rounded out the evening with Wii, cards, the horse racing game, and the wonder on how we always enjoy each others company, even if it is for 9 hours at a time. Most families couldn't handle that.


Sunday, December 20, 2009

Cookie Making Days

My family takes Cookie Making Day seriously and it sits high on our priority list. Crazy measures are always taken to make sure it is a success. My favorite year was when an extra oven was brought and hooked up in the dining room because having only one oven was slowing us down.

When we moved to Wisconsin, Cookie Day moved with us. Three years in a row, everyone made the trip up to bake (and to successfully freeze their asses off.) We made a weekend out of it and always planned activities to keep it interesting.

2005

click to read the post from that day

click to read the post from that day

2008


2009 Cookie Making Day is up next. I know, I know, The Excitement!, The Excitement!

photoshop, I love you!

really want this!



Friday, December 18, 2009

Photoshop, I love you!

I want to win Lightroom! And a giveaway is the only way I'm going to get it!


Vaughnster

Yesterday was all about Vaughn. She took all my energy.


She was extra feisty, which limited our errands, fought every time to be put into her car seat, told me she was hungry but wouldn't eat, that sort of thing.

She went poop on the potty for the first time. I'm sure it was just a fluke. She's interested in the toilet, but not ready yet.

I caught her trying to climb out of her crib after nap time. Dear Lord, this cannot happen. This child needs to be in a crib.

Last night she also got her first big Owie, Goose Egg, whatever you'd like to call it. It looks more like a Robin's egg and it looks bad. She climbed up onto a barstool, reached for the counter, missed, and hit the side of her eye on the edge of the granite. Swelling started immediately. It was black and blue with a red dot in the middle last night. Can't wait to see how it looks this morning.

Dialogue after it happened:

Justin: We've had these barstools forever. What did we do with them when Vance was little? I don't remember him ever trying to climb them.

Me: We didn't do anything with them. He never climbed them! Not even once!

Vance's school hosted a "Last Minute Shopping Night" for the parents last night. They watched the kids, even gave them dinner, for 2 and a half hours last night. If only we could have dropped the Vaughnster off too! But it was nice. Vance had a good time playing and we were able to get a few more things crossed off our list.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

12 Days of Christmas

Melissa from Suburban Bliss has been counting down the days until Christmas with a featured drink everyday. She's on Day 3. You should follow along.


(The link is to her blog, scroll down to see the Drinks.)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

One More Checked Box on our Holiday To-Do List

Any guesses on where we went last night?






Vaughn cried halfway there. Vance was whiny, tired, and at one point told us that his head was too heavy for his neck.

Not exactly the picture I had painted in my head.

When we got to the lights, spirits lifted, and we all enjoyed themselves.

(This little trip may just add fuel to Vance's fire. For weeks, he keeps telling me that, "We're not quite ready for Christmas yet. We need more stuff out." I believe these are the types of displays he has in mind.)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

24 Hour Drop

For Justin's birthday, we went to Madison for a one-night visit.

Here's a view down a street in our old neighborhood. I was glad that there was snow on the ground for our visit. Unfortunately for our old neighbors, the only scenery change they'll get is the arrival of more snow. I miss the excitement before a big snowstorm, how pretty it looks when it's falling down, but don't miss the long, cold winters.

Before dinner we stopped into The Claddagh for an appetizer and a drink. It was early in the evening and yet the holiday party in the adjoining room was in full swing. We found 2 seats at the bar and it was nice to sit by ourselves and observe the chaos. (Usually when we're out, our family is the one providing the chaos.) I would have been happy sitting there all night.


We then met friends and headed for dinner. Food was great, but dessert was so-so. In the morning, I met with friends and their kids for coffee. It was nice seeing everyone.

We were only away for 30 hours, but we had a great time and didn't seem rushed at all. Thanks to my parents and aunt for watching the kids!

Happy Birthday Justin! Maybe we should go somewhere a bit warmer next year???


(My mom and aunt tried taking the kids to Breakfast with Santa. The kids wanted nothing to do with The Big Guy. I'm surprised that Vance wouldn't even go up to him - Jack was even there to help show him that there was nothing to be afraid of! Needless to say, we're not going to try it again, so no pics with Santa this year.)


Saturday, December 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Justin!



Hope you had a good weekend! We love you!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Project of the day: Cinnamon and Applesauce Ornaments

Look what mixing equal parts of cinnamon and applesauce will get you!


Cinnamon applesauce ornaments!


I'm having some issues packing for a quick overnight trip.


My problem is that where we're going just had a foot of snow dumped on them yesterday. The high today, without windchill, is 8. While Big Furry Boots! and Big Puffy Winter Coat! seem the way to go, our dinner plans seem more of the Cute Black Heels! environment. I only want to take a small, overnight bag. Hmmm.....to freeze or not to freeze?

Decisions, decisions....



Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Lesson for the day: Readers


I've been using Google Reader for a long time. I read lots of blogs and using a Reader saves time. This is a great video on what a Reader does and how to set one up.


Forking stain.

In keeping with our tradition of "Nothing Gets Done Right the First Time" one of the replacement blinds in the kitchen came in as the wrong size. Or maybe it was just defective. One side is about 2 inches shorter than the other and it's looking (wink) real nice. So, it must be reordered again. Grrr....


In winter garment news, Vance's coat arrived yesterday. The one that I ordered online and it was supposed to take a month to get. I mentioned how I went out and bought a different one on Sunday because it was too cold to not have a coat. He wore it to a friends house on Monday and came home with a stain on the front. A big, grease looking stain up top, in the front. I washed it twice and it did not come out. If I knew the original coat was coming on Tuesday I wouldn't have bought him one on Sunday. He doesn't need 2 winter coats. I can return the one that we just got yesterday, but it's hard BECAUSE THE OTHER COAT HAS A FORKING STAIN ON IT!

In Vaughnie related news, she says, "Ho, Ho, Ho" now.





Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Bob Bob and Daden



I've Tweeted about Vaughn's love for Bob the Builder and Diego, but have never mentioned it here, until now. Her love for both has grown and it's getting serious.

When she sees them her face lights up and smiles from ear to ear. It's hilarious to watch. She calls Handy Manny "Bob Bob" too, so maybe she's just got a thing for construction workers.

She's now taken to carrying around the case for Vance's Diego Wii game. Yesterday she totally dropped her baby and reached for the case instead.

She's a funny bird.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Vance is developing a pretty nasty Egg Nog addiction. And for some reason he calls it "oatmeal". Needless to say, breakfast was a little hairy this morning.



This Hat

We bought This Hat at Janie and Jack in the Fall of 2006. It was our mistake that we bought the wrong size, but worked to our advantage because it was so big it always covered Vance's ears.

2006

We lost This Hat in Target once and I spent (no joke) 45 minutes wandering around the store looking for it. I knew Vance had it on when we walked into the store and I was not about to leave it behind.

2007

2008

Depending on how much Vance's dome grows, this may be the last year for This Hat.

2009


In other winter garment related news, I found a new winter coat yesterday for Vance. I don't like it as much as the one I ordered 2 weeks ago, but I rechecked the tracking online and it's telling me it's supposed to be delivered before December 24. I'll be calling them today to what the EFF is going on.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Friday's List

Vance has a buddy coming over this morning for a play date.


I scheduled the Blind lady for the same time. She's coming over to replace all of our kitchen blinds.

Everything happening at once may or may not be a good idea. I'll have to let you know.

If tracking is correct, I'll get my Christmas cards today in the mail. This really excites me and that reason alone makes me feel dorky. No one should be that excited to address envelopes.

Justin's company holiday party is tonight. We will not be attending , due to our lack of a responsible third party to manage our little people. In all his years of working, we have been to one holiday party and it was waaay back in year one. Arthur Andersen knows how to throw a party, but too bad for the whole Enron thing though.

Happy Friday everyone.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Vaughn is 19 months today.

Vaughn is a unique lady.

Justin caught her being extra ladylike last night, while we were cleaning up the rest of the kitchen after dinner.

She loves applesauce. If you're Sean Connery, she would love appleshashe.


This is where she's been keeping her babies at night. I snuck in last night and took a picture while she was sleeping. Guess she was crowded!?!


Other info for the baby book:

She nods yes or no to a lot of questions now, which is helping tremendously with communication. She's saying a lot of words, mostly food related. Her newest one is "pepah" for pizza. Two nights ago she pointed to a picture of Drew and said, "Do". She does basic animal sounds now too. She still doesn't have a word for Vance. She follows Vance around and wants to do everything that he does. She climbs on everything...and falls down a lot. She likes to hold hands and will sticks her arm up in the air when she wants you to take her hand. She's still very independent and likes doing things by herself. She's starting to recognize surroundings. For example, she says "Dada" on the way to Justin's office.

......................

In other news, I checked the tracking of the kid's winter coats and they're not scheduled to be delivered for another 1 and a half to 2 and a half weeks. I find this unacceptable and am in disbelief of anything in this day and age to take that long to mail. I've already given away Vance's coat from last year and there's no way that Vaughn's coat from last year will fit her. I always manage to get myself into situations like this!

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Card Shark



When I was a baby my parents kept a bow taped to my hairless head so others would know that I was a girl. It's no surprise that they are the ones responsible for this.

Vaughn will sit quietly for minutes (Minutes!) while putting cards back into the box. At first, she needed help figuring out how to fit them in, but she's a pro now, sometimes even doing 3 at a time.

It's perfect because she likes sitting at the table while doing something, just like Vance does. I've tried letting her color at the table, but she just eats the crayons. So far she hasn't tried eating the cards. While making dinner last night, I had a peaceful 11 minutes while Vance was at the counter working on a project and Vaughn was at the table shuffling cards.

We're raising a card shark.

What do you do to keep your kids busy? Any secrets?

 

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