A Special Treat

Today was a Jammie Day. YAY for Jammie Day! When things get too crazy, I try to slow things down by making it mandatory that we keep the jammies on and just hang at the house. No running around, no getting ready, nothing...just playing, watching tube, and hanging out. I love these days. There is always some special treat during the day, and today I got two.

First, during a coloring session, I got to watch/find out that Pax really wants to be Joe from Blue's Clues. After finding a stack of sticky notes and a crayon, he sat at the table and exclaimed to his sister, "Okay Wanie, I got my notebook! It's time to write down the first clue...What is it? Oh, a bed! First you make the lines...then you draw it. Time for the second clue! " For those that know the show, this went on until he had successfully drawn all three clues in the notebook. After sister was done making her birthday card, she joined in on some Blue's Clues action with her brother. They then proceeded to take turns making up clues and putting them in their notebooks. I have been blessed with children that really love to play together...at least for a good 20 minutes, but I don't want to ruin the memory with what happened when they ran out of paper, and then had to share a notebook. Instead, we'll keep it clean and sugary sweet.

Top that off with my boy reading to ME tonight. Yup, I got to hear Eric Karl's Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? It was so sweet and special. Of course there were modifications made. You have to know that a Wyan is actually Lion, a Stictor is a Boa Constrictor, and that the Wepard was a Leopard. Also, because it is a board book, the story was considerably shorter since the pages can be hard to separate. Lastly, that pesky Zoo Keeper at the end, you know, who wants to re-hash the whole book, animal-by-animal, must have been annoying to Pax because when we got to that page he kind of just let out a sigh and said "The End".

That's my kind of ending...to the book and the day!

The Power of a Dum Dum

I have recently (since Halloween) come to find the hidden secret mommy power behind candy. What I mean is, I can usually get the kids to behave/do things that they normally don't just do with candy as an incentive. Oh sure, some people call it bribery, and claim that you shouldn't (and they would never) bribe their children...of course their children are under the age of 12 weeks, but I call it Mommy Power.

Today, I needed some Mommy Power as we headed out to Super T. The chosen weapon of choice...A Dum Dum! I didn't even know that Paxton could eat a sucker (safely) until we visited Santa at the mall, earlier in the week, and he supplied both children with some Mommy Power. It was BEAUTIFUL! I strolled the mall calmly and quietly, and window shopped without anyone screaming or asking for stuff.

After our last few battles with the children at the stores (due to the holiday madness), I knew I couldn't leave the house without serious arsenal. Since the sucker worked so well at the mall, I went for it again. I was not let down.

I did, however, feel a bit guilty listening to my children's reactions to my telling them they were going to get suckers at Super T.

me: Guess what guys? When we get to the store, I have a surprise for you!
Delanie: ooooohhh Yummy! What is it? (she already knew it would be food?)
Pax: Treat! treat! Me want a treat! (he does too?)
me: Yup a sucker!
Squeals of delight from both children
Delanie: Oh Yummy! When I get a sucker, it keeps me nice and quiet! I love suckers! (how does she know this is the plan?)
Pax: MMMMMM Suckers make me sooooo happy, Mommy...I love suckers! (Sooooo happy? Is his happiness really that wrapped up in sweets?)

What have I done?

Wait don't answer that...I don't have a plan B.

Shrek the Halls

Ok, I am by no means a movie critic. I cannot even pretend to be. I never like the same movies that the critics like, and frankly(and sadly), I don't have enough time to watch movies. Please don't take this post too seriously, especially if you are a Shrek fan.

Tonight the family got all bundled up and watched the ABC special of the night "Shrek the Halls". Ok, we may or may not have already been on the couch watching Wheel of Fortune, but when I saw that there was going to be some children's Christmas specials on TV I thought, "this may be fun...let's all gather 'round".

The kids were very excited to see Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and the whole gang on TV outside of their normal movie rolls, and I was excited because I have fond memories from childhood of being able to catch Christmas specials on TV as well. I love Charlie Brown's Christmas, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, and in the days of no TiVo, DVR, or On Demand, it was down-right special to be able to actually catch these shows on the night they were on and see them in their entirety.

I digress.

Tonight, Shrek the Halls was on, and we caught it from the beginning. I even had Scott set the DVR so we may watch it again if we felt the need. This was going to be special.

Seriously, I am not sure what I had myself set-up for! I guess, maybe, I was to wrapped up in my own childhood memories to really think about what I was getting ready to watch. If you can't tell already, I was not fond of Shrek the Halls. Of course both children watched it in their practically comatose state, and loved it, but I for one, was NOT impressed. I will promptly be removing it from the DVR.

I guess it wasn't that awful, it just wasn't as warm and cozy as some of the previously mentioned movies. I mean seriously people, who doesn't feel the warmth of the Christmas spirit when you are watching Lucy call her brother a blockhead about 100 times. Of course, there's that snugly little ol' Grinch...you just want to invite him over. Don't forget the abominable snowman in Rudolph, even if he does have a toothache, I just get the warm fuzzies every time he roars at the children.

Aahhh...The Christmas spirit and the movies. They really go hand-in-hand when you think about it.

How I Know My Son Has Grown...

With all the hub-bub lately with the holiday's and such, I feel like I am a chicken running around with my head cut off. In these dire straits, I have only one coping mechanism...LISTS! I can list out anything from to-do's to have-done's. Somehow, I feel much better when I see it out on a list, and even better when that list has stuff crossed off. So with keeping up with what I do best, I thought I would list off how I know my sweet little Pax is growing into a big boy:

He can reach the lights and turn them on and off (and on and off and on and off)

He can clear his dish from the table when he is done with his meal (and has only broke 2 plates!)

He is trying to be his own person by breaking out of his perpetual copy-cat mode. When Lanie excitedly pointed out that one of our Christmas ornaments resembled her ruby red slippers she wore on Halloween, Pax exclaimed "Me too momma! Oooh lookie this ornament looks just like my Crocs." The same, but different.

He is feeling so independent that he can cause a whole school to go into almost complete lock-down mode when his mother thought he was lost or had been snatched up. When I looked away for 2.2 seconds, as I walked into Delanie's classroom, Pax thought he would explore some other classroom...one with the lights off, door closed, and no one else in it! He had NO CLUE what the issue was, or why I was almost in tears when I found him.

He can give his sister a piece of his mind when he thinks she is making a poor choice

He can reach the locks on the doors, and lock everyone out, or himself in...whichever way you want to look at it.

He knows when he gets bigger that he just wants to be able to "Fly like a birdy"

Lastly, and most importantly, he was able to sleep through the whole night with out his paci!! Somehow, very strangely, paci got a hole. It was very odd...about as odd as the paci-fairy showing up the next morning with a new Buzz Light Year figurine. I guess now I have to see if he will make it through nap and bedtime tonight. Do not fear, I am under no assumption that we have licked the paci issue (no pun intendend), but we did make it over the first hurdle.

Aaahhhh, my boy's all grown up! Now, you'll have to excuse me while I change his diaper.

Bravery

Sometimes I wonder where exactly my girl comes up with stuff. I love that she has these wild hair-brained ideas that literally just pop right out of the sky. She has so many ideas/stories that still to this day, I cannot figure out where she would have ever come up with such a thought. I love these ideas so much that I cannot help myself but to pry, prod, and encourage her to get deeper.

Today, as we were driving home from gymnastics, Delanie informed me that she could hardly wait to get a chance to go back to Sea World. We were just there this past March with the Colorado Wright clan. Apparently, something about gymnastics got her thinking about Shamu.

Delanie: Mom, I can't wait 'til we get to go to Florida!
me: Oh ya, why is that?
Delanie: When I am there, I am going to go back to Sea World...You know the place with all the fish and stuff.
me: Ya, I remember.
Delanie: Ya, I think I am going to do something different this time.
me: What's that?
Delanie: I am going to get really brave.
me: really...why?
Delanie: Well, next time I am going to go where they feed those dolphins, ya know?
me: ya...
Delanie: And I am going to take one of those fish...you know the ones they feed the dolphins.
me: mmmhmmm
Delanie: And I am going to pop one right into my mouth and gobble it up!
me: WHAT? Why would you do that?
Delanie: Cause, I want to be brave and try fish...you know to see what it tastes like.
me: Well, if you want to try fish, sweety, you don't need to eat the Dolphin fish. You can eat fish that is for people you know.
Delanie: Ya, but I want to eat the Dolphin fish, you know, like Aunt Jen did when we were there.
me: What? Aunt Jen didn't eat the fish at the Dolphin exhibit...Why do you think she did that?
Delanie: Yes she did....When she was feeding the dolphins she said "ooohhh yummy"
me: you don't think she was just teasing?
Delanie: No momma, she ate the fish that the dolphins eat. I want to be brave too and try it...

Pax (in the most grown up and condescending tone)ewww Wanes, that's just sgusting...soo gross Wanes just sgusting...You can't eat fish that's so sgusting!

I didn't really know what to laugh at...the fact that this whole time (since March) Delanie thought that Jen had eaten the dolphin food, that she thought it was brave to eat dolphin food, that she wanted to try dolphin food, that Pax gave her a verbal tongue lashing about her choice in food, or the way Paxton says disgusting.

Pick any one of those, and you've got a winner!

A Lesson in Giving...Or Not?

'Tis the season! After a weekend full of shopping, list making, and decorating, it can officially be said that we are very wrapped up in the holiday season. With all the ads and commercials for children right now, it's not surprising that my sweet cherubs definitely have a bad case of the Gimme's/Iwannit's/Buythat's.

You know, "oooohhh a new Dora doll, Momma Gimme that!", or "Hey that's a Car's race track...Iwantit!" and "I've never seen one of those before. Can we Buythat?" Other symptoms include tantrums, red faces, tears, and stomping of feet.

This has led Scott and I to be very purposeful about teaching Delanie and Pax the gift of giving. Delanie, I am happy to say, has really grabbed onto the idea, and really has compassion for people who have nothing. She has done very well this year picking out presents for other children. I really think it is in her nature to be generous. She always has been pretty good about sharing, and offering her things to others. Oh sure, she has had a few episodes of stinginess, but she is only 4.

Paxton, on the other hand, is in a different boat than his sister. Again, I completely understand that his age is playing a VERY large role in this...most 2 year olds are all about self. I got a good dose of this earlier this season at Super T.

Scott, however, did not get to be apart of that wonderful shopping experience. He could not truly grasp where Pax stands on the giving issue. Plus, like any good parent, he saw a weakness in Pax (a lack of generosity), and wanted to help mold his heart.

So armed with a wonderful plan to take Pax to Toys R Us to buy his sister a Christmas gift that he picked out by himself, my husband was off to shape my son into a boy brimming to the top with generosity. Although I warned him on the way out of the door that this may not be all he was hoping it was going to be, Scott and Pax were off on a mission....2 very different missions.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you how this ended up. Scott came home empty-handed. Pax came home in tears, and completely un-molded. Apparently, there was this motorcycle that caught the little man's eye before they got to the girl section of the store. It's been 2 days, and he is still talking about the motorcycle. Poor Scott, he really didn't know what he was up against when he decided it would be ok to allow him to sit on it for just a minute.

Yup, we are treating a SEVERE case of the gimme's this year. It looks like it's a long lingering case...probably will last through the rest of this holiday season. We are hoping for a cure within the year.

All Aboard!

After a wonderful Thanksgiving Day dinner yesterday, where we were blessed as a family to be able to sit around a table in a warm home, with more than enough food, no major illnesses/health concerns, and as a family who actually all get along well; my family (Scott and the kids) spent the day together preparing for Christmas. Scott was thrilled to be pulling boxes and crates from the basement full of Christmas decorations and memories, and the great transformation began.

OK, so my home doesn't go through a GREAT transformation. I've seen some people's homes where you can barely recognize it from it's former self during the Christmas season. However, my home does get what would be comparable to a mini-face lift or a chemical peel. We have the 2 trees, one for the family, and one for mommy...no one else cares about having a tree that is coordinated and has each ornament placed just so.

The family tree is so special to me (and hopefully the kids too). Each year it has more and more ornaments as each child adds their yearly ornament, as well as any ornament gifts they make or we receive. As each one is unwrapped, we talk about who it belongs to and when they got it. Pax really wasn't in the reminiscent mood today, but did put a few on the tree that were not breakable. He really thought it was a game. If he got it on the branch with out it falling on the first try, there were cheers and hoots all around. Lanie wanted all her ornaments in one spot. I had to delicately explain to her balancing out the tree with ornaments so that it looks beautiful no matter where you stand. Still she wanted all hers in one area so she could sit and look a them. Eventually, we got them all spread out.

Then of course there are the mantels, vases, and banisters. New this year, a Nativity scene for the glass table. Pax is very quiet when he is around the Nativity scene...he doesn't want to wake the baby up..."Shhhh," he says, "This baby is asleep." One day he'll fully understand how precious that little baby is, and that all this fuss is all about Him. We still have another 1/2 day of decorating, and then we will call it good. Of course, at the bottom of one of the crates today was The Polar Express!

Even though I am not fond of the snow, it was perfect that it was falling today. It was a very gentle snow, similar to getting a dusting of powder sugar all day. It just made the home even more cozy as we played Christmas music and worked our way through the boxes and crates. It also reminded me of the snow that falls through out the movie, and had me very anxious to get in my pj's, climb into bed with my kids and hubby, with hot cocoa, and watch in wonder. Pax joined us this year, and was super excited to watch the "Train Movie" in mommy and daddy's bed with the lights off...And what's this in my sippy cup? It was warm cocoa...a very special treat! Of course, the movie did not disappoint. Both kids loved it, as did I. It was a very special night. I can't wait to see their faces in 2 weeks when they find out they get to ride on a real Polar Express when we visit the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Of course, I took some pictures...and even used the self timer so I could get in on the action...lucky you!

Here are my two little snugly bubs waiting for the movie to start:


Pax...who has no idea as to what's in store for him:


Delanie, who knows exactly what to expect, and can hardly wait:


And the whole fam thanks to self timer and an amoir...that just paid for itself hehe:

(if you're wondering about my very chic jammies, sorry they're a limited addition...no more left)

Of course there was no photography allowed during the actual viewing of the movie, but trust me memories were made.

Do a Little Dance

Tonight after dinner, we all got a special treat from Scott. He had gone out and rented Evan Almighty. This is the movie with Steve Carell, (Michael from the Office) and is the sequel to Bruce Almighty.

Carell's character has been asked by God to build a modern day Ark just days after starting his new job as a congressman. As you can see from this clip, Carell's character is also fond of doing the happy dance, and through out the movie we get to see said happy dance quite a few times.

This is a very cute movie, and even though it included real people (as opposed to cartoons, or animals that can talk because of cinema magic) both kids sat down and watched it. I think Pax liked the boat, and Lanie, she loves animals.

At the end of the movie, after the flood comes, (Oh come on, I didn't spoil it...It's Noah's Ark, people!) Carell's character has a chance to sit down with God and have a heart-to-heart. After their conversation, he and God do the Happy Dance for good measure. This leads to the credits, which leads to all the cast performing their own version of the Happy Dance (you know in the "behind the scenes" type footage) to Everybody Sweat by C+C Music Factory.

What is it about that song? Seriously, everyone wants to get up and dance....including Pax! Our little mover and shaker jumped right up from his previously almost comatose condition (which he is in anytime he is watching a show or movie), and blessed us all with his own little Happy Dance. That little man could really shake his groove-thang! Surprisingly enough, I DIDN'T have a camera!! So this is a memory I will have to hope I can forever burn into my brain, and be reminded of whenever I come back to this blog.

In case you are all wondering what it may have looked like, I guess you could say he got some moves from these elves! Way to study up, Dude!

...and yes, I got you all to look at the elves dance again hehe!

Ok...This is Too Much!

As the friend who originally sent this out suggested...Be ready to soil yourself....

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9568789045

Just our family's way of getting ready for the holidays!

Thanks, Nicole, for making me laugh :)

Miss Smarty Pants

So this is the year. I knew it was coming, and I was right. It's here! Delanie is officially old enough to find her Christmas gifts!

Seriously, up until now, I have been spoiled. I have even taken her along on trips to buy HER Christmas gifts! Not this year. I have tried to be very sneaky, but she has found 1 of her gifts not once, but twice already! Ok, it might be my fault, but I really wasn't expecting this.

I VERY discretely brought home a four pack of Magic School Bus Videos, that would be from her brother, the other day. I wrapped them in a King Soopers bag and brought them into the house. Success...she never questioned it. Then in all my excitement, and I shall add, after the kids were IN BED, I got the DVD's out for Scott to take a look at. We oohed and aaahed over the great find, and then I set them on my vanity while I finished getting ready for bed. Guess who walks in "I need more water." she says. I tell her to ask her daddy, who is standing by the sink...at the vanity! ARRRRGG Of course she sees them! She has eagle eyes for anything Magic School Bus related.

After Scott scolded me for leaving them out in plain sight, and I convinced Delanie that she need not worry about the mysterious DVD's on the vanity, I put them on my trusty closet shelf...you know where all the Christmas gifts go. Apparently, said shelf is at eye level this year.

Delanie: MOMMY MOMMY!!!
me: yes
Delanie: Magic School Bus videos! Lookie lookie! Why are they in your closet?
me: uggggg Delanie, why are you in my closet?
Delanie: What? Lets watch Magic School Bus!!...Who are these for?

So there I went again, explaining some weird story as to why I have these DVD's in my closet, why she can't watch them, and why she must now forever stay out of my closet...Yes, I changed my hiding place.

If she finds them again, I am going to take it as a sign and just give the poor girl the DVD's! She will deserve them for crying-out-loud, and I don't think I can handle anymore on-the-fly stories anymore! Surely, she won't find them this time....I guess I need to find a babysitter so I can complete my Christmas shopping this year.

And So It Begins!

AHHH...you can almost smell it in the air. Thanksgiving is just a few days away...and then the craziness begins. I do love Thanksgiving. The family all gathered 'round, good food, good laughs, good relaxation. However, the day after is what I look forward to the most. No, it's not because of Black Friday...I am not fond of shopping in crowds, and no, it isn't all the leftovers from the day before either. This is the day, that our family has a very special tradition.

This will be year 3 of my favorite family tradition to-date! The day after Thanksgiving, Scott pulls out all of our Christmas decorations. As we work on getting the house decorated, which really could take about a week, down at the bottom of one of the ornament boxes it lays. The Polar Express!

Packed away each year with the Christmas stuff so that the kids (ok and I) don't get too tired or desensitized to it's magic, is the BEST holiday movie (barring Christmas Vacation, but I am talking about kid friendly here!)!

That night we will sit as a family with our hot cocoa, blankets, in jammies, and no lights on mesmerized by the music, beauty, and magic of this movie. This year, Pax will be old enough to join us, and I can't wait to see his face as he watches the train weave its way through tall mountain peaks, icy polar caps, and into Santa's village in the North Pole.

Delanie is already talking all about it. "Guess what?" she says to anyone who will listen/answer back...people at the grocery store, her cousins, our neighbors, ANYONE! "Friday is the day for Polar Express!" People usually look at her with a very confused look. See she doesn't quite get that this isn't something that everyone does. I really think she is waiting for a response of "YES! I know I can't wait" She usually says "You know the Polar Express...? Friday's the day we get it out!" With another confused look from whom ever she is speaking to she usually lets the conversation drop at this point, if I haven't rescued her already.

That's what I love about traditions. Something so simple, yet something you can't imagine not having. Something you don't even recall NOT doing. Something you can't wait to do every year. Something you have to talk about with others because you're so excited you might burst.

After Friday night, it's onward to the Christmas holiday rush. We will shop, eat, party, watch the other Christmas movies (probably Polar Express a few more times), and spend time with the fam....But that Friday after Thanksgiving, we take a few hours to wind our way up to the North Pole every year to see if we can still hear the bells on Santa's reindeer and sleigh. As I sit back with my family all warm and cozy and wrapped up in the magic, I think to myself, "Please, never let those bells go silent."

Puzzle-mania!

Delanie has officially entered a "Puzzle Stage". She is done with the little kids type puzzles, and now enjoys working the more difficult puzzles. Her favorites so far, Strawberry Shortcake and the Gang (63 pieces) and a Dinosaur Panorama (48 pieces). Well, today our lovely Auntie upped the ante when she brought over several puzzles for us to work that all had 100 pieces!

After dinner, she got to pick which one of these puzzles she wanted to work...of course the Beauty and the Beast...Belle is gorgeous. Also, we wouldn't want begin our 100 piece puzzle adventure with a puzzle that is nice and square...oh no, that is too easy. This one is shaped like a heart (ie no straight sides!).

It was a good lesson in patience and perseverance. It was hard work! This wasn't like her favorite puzzles that took a mere 15 minutes to put together...nope we worked that thing for at least 45 minutes. There were times when giving up sounded like the best option, when it was thought "maybe we don't have all the pieces", or "this thing is just too hard". NOPE...I had to be gently reminded by Lanie..."Mom, we gotta get this thing done! Just keep trying!"

Delanie is good at puzzles, and she doesn't get it from me!

Birds of a Feather...

Even though our home has reached peak grossness, as we battle the bug this week, there is still some sweetness to be found:

Here are my two little sickies snuggled up on the "Sick Couch" together. Yes, those are towels that they are using as blankets...much more absorbent and easier to clean. They are happily watching the 25th movie of the week (that's approximate...could be less...could be more). Look at how well they share! It's amazing what kind of cooperation you can get out of them when they are weak.

Seriously though, I think we are on the tail end of this (until Scott or I get it) so the deep cleaning starts tomorrow. You'll also be happy to know that Paxton has come up with a cure.

Apparently "Candy makes my tummy allll better" .

Yes it does, Son.

The Lure of the Bus

For about 2 months now, my kids (ok and I) have been having a wonderful love affair with the TV series Scholastic's Magic School Bus. Both the books and the videos provide us with hours of scientific joy. For those of you unfamiliar with the series, it is a show about a science class (maybe 4th graders?) and their crazy teacher Ms. Frizzle ("The Friz" for short). The Friz takes them on wild field trips in order to help them understand many different scientific phenomenas such as volcanoes, the water cycle, the solar system, the science of flight, etc. via the Magic School Bus which can shrink, fly, float, whatever it takes to literally get "inside" the science of it all. It is a show that I have no problem what-so-ever allowing my kids to watch hours of. Surprisingly, Pax likes it as much as Lanie does, and even will request a Magic School Bus book for story time before bed.

We've been lucky, the last few times we've gone to the library, there has been at least 1 video and a handful of books of this, apparently, very popular series. Since it was new to us, we haven't had any issues with having to settle for repeat performances. That was until last week. There were no videos at all for check out, and I thought it would be OK to settle for the just a few books. Wrong. Delanie devoured the 3 books I was able to get a hold of in 3 days, and then decided it was imperative that we get the video of the book about volcanoes. Off to the Internet I went. I was determined to hunt down our videos on our library's online catalog and place a hold on them. Not too surprisingly, they were all checked out and there was a wait for all of them. Delanie was understandably upset about the wait, but was willing to flex her patience muscles because she knew the payoff would be worth it.

Well, today was the day! I got a call while Lanie was in school that some of our holds had come in. I was so excited you would have thought I just got the call that I had just won some wonderful shopping spree at Super T. I had to get them while she was still in school so that I could surprise her when she got in the car with our new loot! When I got to the library, I was so pleased to see that the volcano episode was one of the goodies waiting for us...this was going to be the BEST DAY EVER!

As Lanie hopped into the car, she squealed with delight as she saw what was waiting for her in her carseat. Then she saw the volcano video and let out an even louder squeal! I could hardly wait to get home and pop it in while the kids and I ate lunch. In case, you're wondering, it was all it was hyped up to be. We've been in Magic School Bus Nirvana all afternoon.

If only I could get my hands on my own Magic School Bus. There are so many mysteries that I would love to solve via my ride on the bus. For example, what's going on in my son's little brain when he decides that only when we are running late for something he must fill his diaper? There is also the elusive mystery behind why neither my children or husband can hear a single thing coming out of my mouth if there is a TV on anywhere in our home. Lastly, how much work would I really get done if I wasn't spending so much time looking for sippy cups? These are the great mysteries that we may never find the answers to...If only we had the bus!

Seat belts everyone!!!

The Stages of Life

Obviously, I know there is a LARGE gap in the maturity level between Pax and Lanie. Sometimes though, it is just so obvious I have to laugh.

Today, we went to Super T to buy gifts for our "Operation Christmas Child" package. Lanie had to decide whether or not she wanted to give to a boy or a girl, and then what age she would like to get for. She really wasn't too excited about this adventure. I am sure she just thought it was another reason for mom to hit Super T. However, after showing her the brochure and letting her look through the pictures of the kids that receive these gifts, she did get pretty excited about giving a gift to someone in need...very mature of her, I think.

At first she picked a girl, but after going through the toothbrush/toothpaste section, she changed her mind and chose a boy because she thought they had "cooler toothbrushes". Really at the end of the day, it is all about the toothbrush isn't it? She was really getting into picking out what she wanted to get off of the suggested list of items to put into the box.

Pax, however, was on the opposite end of the spectrum. Let me just be up-front about this...I DID NOT expect him to get this project. That is why just Lanie was participating. It was very funny to me though to sit and observe the vast difference just 2.5 years will make in a child's life! On one side of the cart, I have Delanie who is very concentrated on what she would like this little boy to have, and which one (of whatever) he would like the best. In the cart I have sweet little Pax who is yelling out "Mine!", "Me want that!" and "Mommy, you buy that for me". Not to mention "Give me", "Me need to have it", and my favorite "Mommy, I just wuv this...NEED IT!" In his defense, he is only 2, and we were looking at toys for a boy. Also, don't forget Super T's toy section is in prime condition for the up-coming holiday season. Only the best of the best is out right now. Even a lady shopping in the same aisle as us, started laughing out loud. I even had Lanie try to explain to Pax what she was doing:

Lanie: Brother, we are going to get a little boy presents who doesn't have any toys
Pax: No, no boy presents...just me...Need that Diego!
Lanie: No not for you for another little boy
Pax NOOOOOO me!

Maybe next year he'll understand better? Unlikely, but we will keep trying!

Unfailing Love

Because I just went to a Chris Tomlin concert last week, his songs are fresh on my heart. Yesterday, I had a particularly hard day because Delanie was ill with a tummy bug. For those that know me, I don't do well with this (that is an understatement!). I knew it was going to happen sooner or later as it is spreading around like wildfire right now. Sure enough...very early yesterday morning she started in. She was very brave and has completely grasped the concept of making it to the toilet so all in all...it really wasn't that bad.

Because I have such a hard time dealing with stomach viruses, I had to completely rely on God and His strength to get me through the day. Once again, he amazed me with His faithfulness to me as his child. It's days like yesterday that remind me that He is not only the creator of the universe, and the great I Am...but he is also my Father and my protector. And just like any good parent, when their child is scared and weak, He comes in scoops you up and says "It's OK, I'm here to take care you."

While I was running this morning, I was listening to my iPod, and Chris Tomlin's Unfailing Love came on. I love it when a song says everything I feel....of the billions of children God has, he takes time for each of us in our needs each and everyday...even when those needs feel small and insignificant compared to others.

Unfailing Love
by Chris Tomlin (emphasis mine)

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is
Your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change God
You remain The Holy One
My unfailing love Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change
God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love Unfailing love

I will praise You Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change
God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

Coming to the End of an Era

It's bound to happen any day now. Although I act like it shouldn't come a day sooner, I have to admit, I am a bit sad about it. Paxton needs to give up the paci. He will be 2 1/2 in about 1 month, and to be honest with you, if you would have asked me 2 1/2 years ago if I would have a child that still took a paci after the age of 1 (let alone use a pacifier at ALL) , I would have laughed and said you were crazy for even thinking it. Alas, my son is still using his paci every nap and every night.

The problem is he LOVES his paci. I mean when you talk about it with him, he beams like a child in a candy store, over his paci. Problem number 2 is I LOVE my sleep. Paxton has always been a great sleeper...I am sure that will change. Lastly, Paxton is my last baby. When he gives up paci, it will officially be the last thing he has from his baby years. He will be a big boy, never to return to his baby-ness again. I don't know if I can handle that! Oh sure, I can hold onto the fact he is still in diapers, and is NO WHERE near potty training, but somehow that is not as sweet as the paci....

We've been talking a bunch lately about giving up the paci, reading books about giving up the paci, have introduced the paci fairy, who will magically come and take paci, and one night even tried to give it away (we failed miserably). Tonight, as I put him in bed and handed him is paci, I noticed that there were some spots on the paci were it may be wearing thin. I took the opportunity to go for it.

me: Paxi, do you see these spots?
Pax: Yes, whas wong with paci?
me: Paci is getting old, and might get a hole. We'll have to put him in the trash when that happens.
Pax: In the twash?
me: Yep, the trash...then you can be a big boy!
Pax: but I cry, momma
me: Yes, maybe, but you'll be ok
Pax: Me get a toy?
me: (laughing a bit because he already knows how to negotiate a toy out of this deal)Maybe? Maybe the Paci Fairy will bring you a toy for being a big boy!
Pax: Me get a Buzz Whiteyear (in his growly voice)
me: Yes, maybe a Buzz Lightyear.
Pax: Ok, Momma...(pops paci in and rolls over to go to sleep)

Part of me felt a small victory. Maybe, just maybe, this will be the approach to go. Make it look like paci broke and we had no choice...it had to go. Not our fault. In the end, paci let us down and had to go. The other half of me feels sad because when paci goes, so does the tie holding onto the last piece of baby-ness I, as a mom, will ever get to experience....until I change a poopy diaper that is...

Tent City!

The kids have recently gotten interested in making forts or tents out of blankets, stuff animals, and tables. In the "ideal" tent there should be no light, and if Delanie had her way there would be no Paxton. Pax has yet to figure out the "rules" of Tent City. He likes to make his own doors in and out, which inevitably knocks over the tent, or lets in light. As many times as Delanie patiently shows him the proper way to enter and exit a tent, he just can't contain himself, and will bust right through a wall...it's just all the excitement of being locked in, and the powerful feeling of being able to knock something over (and being 2).

This led Scott to make the decision to properly school the kids on tent making, and thus, they created "Super Tent". The kids were over-the-moon excited at how big Super Tent was. Delanie even created stations within Super Tent. There was the reading station, the sleeping station, and the secret escape. Surprisingly, Pax didn't not have the need to break through one of the walls, but instead fell in love with the sleeping station. There he lay, fake snoring, fake yawning, and even a few long drawn out sighs as if to say,"What a day!" Delanie was perfectly content in the reading station (are you surprised?). Scott joined them both by taking up the rest of the tent officially in both the sleeping station and the reading station. He was multi-tasking. I snuck in for a few minutes through the secret escape. I was only there for a few minutes before the over-whelming smell of every one's breath trapped in Super Tent's iron clad walls forced me to evacuate. I was happy to get out and take pictures anyways.

Here she is in all her glory, Super Tent:

The inhabitants:

Pax popping up from the sleeping station:

Delanie after her secret escape:

She was with us for 15 minutes before collapsing. The kids were pretty wrecked over it until daddy told them about the best part of making Tent Cities...after they fall you get to rebuild them even bigger and better than before! Maybe the next one will have a TV station and a place for some yummy snacks.

If the Hat Fits...Wear it!

It's a well known fact, for people who know me, that I have a freakishly small head. I own hats and sunglasses from children's stores...that are not for my children. It's just the way I was made. Delanie takes after me in this department. As a baby, when they go for check-ups, and measure the head circumference she started out OK, but by 9 months she was only in the 10%, and I would assume she has since probably stayed the same, if not fallen off the charts, because all the hats she owns, and currently wears, are size 3T (remember she's going to be 5 in just 2 months!).

This family trait does not hold true for Pax though, as we found out today. I however, had an inc ling that this may be the case a few months ago when he had found Delanie's bike helmet from last year (when she was 3 1/2) and automatically tried to put it on his head. I won't go into the details here....just know it didn't even come close to fitting (he had just turned 2)...I covered it pretty thoroughly here complete with pictures.

Today it was brought to my attention again, that either I have a VERY (insert freakishly again if you want) small head or my son is sportin' quite the noggin! He came to me while I was putting on my make-up and said he got a new hat. I, not paying too much attention to him, just casually said, "Yes, son, a new hat". As he turned to walk away I noticed 2 things: 1. The hat did not belong to him, and 2. As he turned at walked away, the hat didn't sling off to the side like it normally does when he puts on his dad's hats. This caused me to take a second glance at what/whose hat he had. I'm sure you don't need any help with this...it was MINE!

OK, so the hat didn't fit him perfectly. It was a bit large, but the thing of it is, the hat doesn't really fit me either! Yes, it is tightened all the way! The hat did fit him well enough that he could keep it on while running around the house without it falling off, or, as previously mentioned, he could turn around quickly without it slinging off to one side. It fit him well enough for daddy to say "Hey look at that! You look great in that hat" then proceed to come into our room and tell me he thinks I officially have the smallest head in the house. With which I replied "NOT TRUE...Delanie and I can still share the same hats!"

Things I Love...

In addition to the list on the right....here are a few more things that I was reminded of today.

1. Being able to run/workout even though Scott's out of town because of our new treadmill.
2. Having a sister-in-law that likes to work-out in my dirty basement with me (even though she has a gym membership) because she likes to have company as much as I do while we sweat.
3. Since said treadmill is in our basement, being able to throw my hands up in the air and worship the Lord at any given time while listening to worship music, and not worry about what the passing cars or other walkers/runners that are out are thinking about me.
4. Having a sister-in-law that understands how important, necessary, and virtually impossible it is not to do #3 because she knows what it's like to be 40 minutes into a hard run, feel like you have nothing left, and have How Great is our God come on your iPod.
5. Having my husband come home from a business trip.
6. Listen to my kids squeal with excitement because their daddy has just come home from a business trip.
7. Hear Paxton tell his grandma "I wuv you Gamma"
8. Even though it's not on the "diet", eating my mom's Chicken and Noodles.
9. Not caring if certain foods are on the "diet"...just enjoying the company.

It's day two, and I just got sappy....

Being a Kid is HARD Work!

Delanie had a rather rough day today. Like most days she goes to school, she was wiped out. Pre-K isn't for the faint of heart. To top it off, she had the flu shot looming over her head all day as well. She knew it was scheduled for today after school, and if I know my daughter like I think I do, she probably thought about it and told everyone who would listen about it all day long. Poor girl. She HATES shots. Most kids do.

When we got to the Dr's office, she told the nurse who was administering the shot "I know what you are going to do, and I am going to scream!" The nurse replied "It won't hurt. Just a tiny pinch. You'll be just fine." Delanie comes back with "I am almost five now, I know what shots are all about...I am not fooled!" She then proceeded to claw me to death and almost kick the nurse as we pinned her down for the shot...Hard work! Pax cowered in the corner at the sight of big sister losing it.

After nap she came bounding in my room. Earlier in the day she said she couldn't remember all she learned at school, just that she had gone to recess. Well, a nap must've refreshed her memory because she told me, all in one breath, about how she had learned about Moses, the Burning Bush, King Ramsey keeping the Israelites as slaves, and the plagues had God sent as punishment. WHAT A DAY! She was particularly set on the slaves portion of the story...I had a feeling it would come back to me later in the day or week...Yup, just as I thought:

Me at 7:45 tonight: Time to clean up toys, kids...you have 5 minutes!
Me at 7:48: Kids if you don't start cleaning up, you are going to miss dessert!
still no movement from the troops just sighs and groans
Me: Come on guys let's hurry up and clean so we can have dessert!
Delanie: Gosh mom! You are just trying to keep me and Pax as slaves! It isn't kind, and God really doesn't appreciate this!

Yup, there it was...it didn't even take 4 hours...she's already put it all together. For the record, I giggled (under my breath) Then told my slave to get her toys picked up before the onslaught of frogs hit!

Another Blog!

Yup, it's another blog. The thing about it is, I love blogging. Kinda like the pictures I take, it helps me to remember a snip-it of time. Now that I got all sappy on you...it's really not going to be that sappy every day, just a way to remember some of the great stuff I get to hear from my kids mouths everyday that I swear I won't forget...but do...