Year in Review

By the Numbers for 2008

1 trip to Portland
1 trip to Bend, Oregon
2 cats
2 dogs
2 trips to California
5 years in Washington State
A 5 year old
6 parades
A 10 year old
13th Wedding Anniversary
37th Candles for me
218 blog posts
countless trips in Mrs Epi's Adventure Van

PRICELESS

IDONTWANTTOHEARABOUTBAKUGAN

translation: I don't want to hear about Bakugan. NO, I don't want to know how to play.

I just had to share this blog post at All a Dither. She links to this post at Ann Nahm. These made me laugh.I can't believe other mommies have these same thoughts. They summed up nicely all my secret mommy thoughts or not secret thoughts I have been having today. It has been a long day today. I took 4 animals to the vet with two children in tow. Then I topped all that off with a grocery store trip with two children. IT has been a long day. I don't really want to hear about Backugan ( however it is spelled.) I was not delighted when Chuckles declared today that when he grew up he wants to watch TV for a living - seriously. He wasn't too happy when we told him he couldn't do that when he grew up.

Putting Away Christmas

It seems once all the gifts are open my desire to take down the tree intensifies. My house looks like a tornado hit it. I like to have my tree down before New Year's Day. I like putting up the decorations much more than actually taking them down. A couple years ago, I developed a box that I keep stored in the house that is the first one I open for Christmas decorations. All the rest of the Christmas stuff is stored in the garage. (Picture above is of the box.) It is also the first one packed. It has the stockings, tree skirt, Christmas books, and wall hangings. This year I decided I also needed to put in the Christmas Cards I bought on clearance and the Christmas music. Maybe December 2009 will be more organized. I can hear my Mom snickering all the way from Colorado. I am not known for my organizational skills. Now, can someone come and help me organize all those darn ornaments and knicknack's? Just for the record, this is the only box I currently have packed up. I am a little behind schedule. There is still a whole tree to take down.

Gifts Exposed

At long last, I can show you the two rag quilts I made as Christmas gifts. The one above is the Polyester Princess (aka sister) and the one below is my Mom's. I am looking forward to making two baby rag quilts in the new year. My quilt holders are the two man wrecking crew.

White Christmas

According to the paper, the last time this county had a white Christmas prior to this Christmas was in 1990. Oh my gosh, we have had snow this whole Christmas break this far. We had a grand Christmas with all our extended family at our house. I think a good time was had by all. My kids really enjoyed being with both sets of grandparents.

Picture taken 12/26

What does it say about you

What does it say about you when your Best Friend gives you a pink marshmallow gun? I think it says you live in a household full of boys and you like to have fun. I can't wait to pelt my kids with this thing. Mrs Epi you are too much. Now we all have marshmallow guns. I guess I need to get shooting advice from T INC.

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish all of you a Merry and Bright Christmas. We have snow this morning on Christmas Eve. It is looking a lot like Christmas. We have a full house. My parents are here from Colorado. I am pretty sure they brought this snow. LOL The Giant Man Child's Mom,Cliff, and Pappy plan to head up here if the road conditions improve.

What to do when you are snowed in

Definitely watch cat wrestling. It is VERY entertaining. Why they decided the top of the ironing board was a good idea who knows?

Eat bunches and bunches of corn munch. After all, you need to keep up your strength.




Play out in the snow with your Grandpa.

Chuckles and Grandpa

Paint some aprons for your Mom with your Grandma.

Grandpa taking a picture of camera shy Grandma

Hey Mars!

Don't you miss this snow and drifts? Isn't the drift in the driveway nice? The picture above is of Mars' old house. She now lives in a sunnier location. She is the owner and operator of Pacific Scents - check them out. (shameless plug) I am secretly or not so secretly jealous of you. You are probably basking in the sun. Today, we have no school and from the sounds of it most of I-5 and and 405 are shut down.

I kissed a RAT and other things

On Sunday, we ventured down to Seattle to see the Nutcracker production put on the Pacific Northwest Ballet. IT was a very special treat from Nonna to all of us. If you can't tell, Nonna loves the theatre. I believe that was my very first time of seeing the Nutcracker Ballet and definitely the boys first time. I couldn't resist kissing the Rat King. The ladies at the Seattle Times table urged me to do it. We really enjoyed the production based on Maurice Sendak's version.

Brrrr!

I-5 South Bound around Lake Samish

The long awaited snow arrived on Saturday but it was blasted from Canada and arrived with high winds, extreme cold (for our area), and wind chill. The high temperature for today is suppose to be 24 degrees feeling like 2 degrees. The kids are excited that school is on a 1 hour delay - me not so much.

Food for Thought

Here are some interesting blogs on cutting food costs. There is the $1 dollar a day diet and $5 dollar dinners.

I also wanted to pass on a little linky for some very delicious but unusual snack mix Corny Snack Mix or known as the Corn Munch by Mrs Epi's family . It really is addicting and makes a giant batch. Just don't melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave both Mrs Epi and I didn't have much luck with the method. Thanks to Rock in the Dryer for posting that on her blog.

McDreamy Jealousy

I like to watch Grey's Anatomy. On the show, one of the doctor's,Patrick Demsey, is called McDreamy. Well, this new blog I have been reading," I should be folding Laundry", actually got to talk to McDreamy on the phone read here. I am a little jealous.

Plaxico Burress

For you out of the NFL know, Plaxico is the Giant Player who shot himself. That guy is a total genius! Well, the Giant Man Child was watching Sunday football on TV and Frank Caliendo's commentary made me the non-football lover laugh. Caliendo's take on the Palxico situation is hilarious even for non-football watchers. There is no YouTube on this yet so click on this link to fox sports

Santa's Reindeer

Last night, I think I saw Santa's Reindeer over at the school grazing on the new grass. Don't tell the Principal.

1st Christmas Card

The first Christmas Card I received was from Chuckles last week. They made these in their writing center at school. I have yet to send out any Christmas Cards. I need to motivate. I love receiving Christmas cards and even Christmas newsletters.

Christmas Read Aloud

For the last couple of years or maybe longer than that, we have collected Christmas books. I keep them packed up with the Christmas stuff. It is a wide variety as you can see. There are hardback books and even dollar store books. There is everything from Jesus to Santa. Every night we read a couple of books to celebrate Christmas. I know some people (who are way organized aka evil) wrap each of their books and do it as an advent activity. We are not that organized or should I say I am not that organized. Hey, I was lucky to find the box they were in! Favorites in this stack are Polar Express, The Snowman Storybook, and Christmas in the Barn. Does anyone else do this? I also do this with Halloween books too.

The Tree

Here is the picture of our Christmas tree this year. It is a fake one. Chuckles kept saying when we were putting it up, "Do you want me to help fluff it." We decided because of the kitties that we wouldn't put up any of our breakable glass ornaments. That made me a little sad but I rather error on the side of caution. Every year,I try to get an ornament for each of the kids. These are made by a local artist in Bellingham. I thought they were very reasonably price so these are the ornaments this year.

Quote of the Day

YOU ARE AWESOME IN YOUR OWN SPECIAL WAY!!!!

(This is the new favorite quote of the Polyester Princess and who am I not to share it with all of you in blog land)

Christmas Preparations

On Sunday, The GIANT man Child put the lights on our house. We are having very mild weather. Yes, it has rained but nearly as much and it has mainly been in the 50's. That is very unusual for this time of year.

Our theme is blue and white lights with a touch of clutter. He looked high and low for LED blue and white lights. We went to 4 stores without luck so we have our old energy sucking C-9's up on our roof. Yes, the GIANT man Child is putting lights on the second story and he has really good life insurance. He has a whole system for hanging lights. I don't know if all men are like this about their lights but he is.

ZOOLIGHTS 08'

#1 Son and Chuckles

As a special treat Nonna took the whole gang to the Point Defiance Zoo for Zoolights on the opening day of the lights. This was the first visit for all of us to this zoo. It was a really nice treat and I thought just the perfect amount of lights.

A miniature version of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Pappy really enjoyed the lights. He did great with his new walker.

Thanksgiving Followup

Nonna
We had a delightful and thankful Thanksgiving at Nonna's house. We deep fried turkey. It was delicious. We have a electric deep fryer/steamer thing. We brought along. The Giant Man Child made his signature cheesecake which was outstanding as I ate way too much of it.

Chuckles - age 6

The Day after Thanksgiving we help to decorate Nonna's house for Christmas. We found some reindeer antler's and everyone took a turn wearing them.

#1 Son - 10 years old

Nonna

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgivng from these turkey's to your turkey's

Shiny Brite

Mrs Epi and I have been on the lookout on our thrifting adventures for Shiny Brite Ornaments. The picture above is how I display mine during Christmas. This picture is from last year. Don't look to close. There is dust. I like glass candlestick holders. I display different things on the top. The Shiny Brite Ornaments that I have belonged to Giant Man Child's Grandma. I am itching to put out my Christmas Decorations.

Thanksgiving Art

Chuckles - age 6

Art #1 Son purchased from another 5th grader during Market Day

Diva - Age 6

Kitty Love

Picture by the Diva - Age 6

The kittens took a trip to Nonna's house but the older cat there didn't really take a liking to the kittens. So, the kittens are back at our house.

Puss trying to Escape

Chuckles and Puss

Link Love

It's Thursday and WE need some entertainment. Well, the Polyester Princess is demanding entertainment. She is very demanding.

Here are some interesting links

Kid Photography

Foot Bike I think this would be perfect for #1 Son who compulsively scooter rides and bike rides. This is a combo of both. Too bad, it is $300. Doesn't this look fun.

Jesse Tree I have never heard of this tradition but it sounds like a great way to put more meaning in the Christmas season.

Eddie Ross - If you haven't checked out his blog you need to . He is a total thrift God. I can only hope to have his thrift skills.

Penguins

Chuckles - Age 6

Chuckles: Wouldn't it be really cool if we had a really cold room and THERE were penguins in there.?"

Me: Hmmm!!!

This is my conversation with him before I had my first cup of coffee.

A Week in my Life

I have been working on "A week in my Life" project found on Ali Edwards blog. I have finally completed the actual scrapbook portion of it. YEAH! It really highlighted my change of season in my personal life. I noticed that there are lots of pictures of things and my kids but none of me. I've got kinda lost. It highlighted the in-between feeling that I am having. I am able to fill my days but is it with activities that are quality or simple busyness. I am on the cusp of seeking more employment or volunteering more time. There are pros and cons to both. I am really missing connecting with other Moms that I did through MOPS and preschool and taking care of Chuckles and #1 Son. That has been my identity for so long that I feel kinda lost without it.

I also feel so lucky that I have some great friends that keep me grounded (Mrs Epi and Mrs Respiratory Therapist)who can laugh with me or at me. I also have the Polyester Princess to laugh at me and remind me I am still older than her.
I am still finding my purpose. I am OKwith that.