"A Christmas Tradition"

That's what the photo holder says on the outside. This is going to be a fun "tradition". What a terrible thing we do to our children just to get a laugh.

Natalie saw a commercial today for Disneyland. "Oh, I wanna go there, mama!" We've been talking about going to SoCal in Feb around her birthday, so I said "Go tell Dad that's what you want for your birthday", and she did, then I told her Goofy, Mickey, and the Princesses might want hugs with her. NIX! "Never mind, mom, Never mind." (that is her new catch phrase lately)

Oh well.

Trail Running

A couple of summers ago, Brady and I started Trail Running up above our neighborhood. I also found out that I need to learn more about my camera, as I've been taking really crappy photos lately, and Larry says it's me and not this camera. Crap. I wanted it to be the camera.

Anyway, Brady and I have so much fun running on the trails in what's left of the woods. It will be so sad when it gets developed, as B and I are making some great memories up there. We usually take Norman the giant Lab, and Katie howled in heartbreak that her man was going out without her. Problem is, last time we took Katie trail-running she almost didn't make it back. She's fatter than me and had to stop and SIT on the walk back. She needs to start on smaller walks, not these aggressive root-hopping, hill-climbing trail runs. And Norman bounds and leaps right along with Brady, they are so cute together (but Norman is the ORIGINAL mama's boy). And ol' Norm is turning 10 in January! That dog has not lost a single bit of his puppy spirit, I think he'll be a puppy till the day he dies. Wild ass dog. And big (like 110 pounds big) And tall (Brady is 45" and Norman comes up to his chest.) But Brady can walk him just fine, 3 years of obedience paid off a little bit, made Norman tolerable.

My little boy...

Asked me last night as I kissed him goodnight "Am I going to have a different voice when I get bigger?" I could tell he was a little nervous about the idea. My first thought was to answer him with this: "Of course not, honey, you will always have your own voice, the sound may change and you will sound more like daddy (made a silly deep voice) but it will always be your voice." He seemed satisfied, and I felt satisfied that I was telling him the truth about his physical body (He's almost half way to puberty!) but also telling him that nobody should speak for you or that he should never feel that he doesn't "have" a voice. I know he didn't get that out of the conversation, but maybe it will open the door to other conversations about bigger things.

And Natalie's big epiphany moment was last week in the car "I'm not a monster mommy, I'm Nat a Wee!" And a conversation on the way to the dump about who in this family has penises and who doesn't. Watch Larry squirm! He did well, I've told him to just agree when they state a fact like that, and it seems to blow over very quickly because they don't have to reaffirm themselves by telling everyone in the grocery store and at school, and on the bus...

The deconstruction begins

I started taking down a few Christmas decorations here and there, since Larry decided to invite everyone over New Year's Day to play poker ALL DAY, I figured I'm going solo on the housekeeping again.
I took down the kids' advent calendars and they asked "Why are you doing that?" and I replied "To put them away for next Christmas" "Oh, YEA, YEA!" the both cheer. I think that they think I'm getting ready to start it all over again... now. Um... NO.
Last night we went to my mom's new "house" here in Bellingham and had pizza with her and Bill, then drove to Lynden to get a last peek at Christmas lights. It was nice except my children are a lot noisier in a car vs. minivan. And especially when I'm sitting right next to them and not 8 feet away. But they weren't fighting, so you have to be happy with happy noise. I think B & N worked Grandma and Bill's nerves pretty good though regardless of their behavior. It's amazing how much I tune out, I feel that when I finally notice the noise level it looks like I'm neglectful, when in all reality, tuning out is a coping device that moms develop. I can still hold a conversation with all the noise, while others find it too distracting to even think, let alone multi-task. But I think we mom's instinctively know what to listen for and what not to (like I hear the "butt/poop" talk amidst all the playing and immediately cue into it, I might not do anything about it, but I heard it.)
Oh well, the grandparents chose to move closer to the kids, they'll have to re-introduce themselves to the "tune-out" technique that they haven't used in so long (of course, my mother never tuned my and my brother out) Ha!

Recovering

I took the kids on a field trip today to one of their favorite places... the dump! To the dump, to the dump, to the dump-dump-dump! I FILLED the entire cabin of the minivan with cardboard, only cardboard. Brady had to scale the pile to climb into his booster, thank god he can buckle himself now, I'd have never made it back down without supplemental O2.

Then we stopped at Freddie's to return a couple of things (absolutely no waiting to return stuff, Larry said the same thing is happening at Costco... are people waiting for the weekend?) And the kids thankfully wanted to go to the playland. But I gotta say, that playland sucks ass. Every time I take the kids there, there is a video playing and the attendant is hiding behind the counter, as far away from the children as possible. I want to shop at Freddie's because the prices are better, and grocery shopping is so much easier solo. And I know my kids are having fun when they are at Haggen. Last time I went to pick them up at Haggen I was told "4 more minutes mom". They were building towers to knock down, coloring together, being read to. I know it's free, but there is a drastic difference in the time my kids spend at each place. I felt so guilty leaving them at Freddie's playland, that I went and retrieved them and finished shopping with them, so at least someone would be talking (yelling) at them.

And I have to say, the fighting in my house hold between my children is slowly decreasing. This summer I thought I might run away and never come back I was so exhausted from the CONSTANT fighting. Plus it brings horrible flashbacks to my childhood, and the deep running loathing I had for my little brother (sorry Rich, love ya now, thanks for not kicking my ass now that you can). They actually PLAY together, and LAUGH with each other, and sit QUIETLY together. This sounds so cheesy, but it truly makes my heart smile that they have a love for each other and that there is hope that they will have happy childhoods together instead of separately. I'm a total cynic to the worst degree, but when I see these sorts of things, I really SEE them.

Christmas Morning

I was worried that I would wake up to a battle Christmas morning. We found out the night before that Larry, who was scheduled to do the building check at Costco that day, was supposed to meet the other managers at 8 am, not 6 like we had hoped. So I'm thinking "great, just as the kids wake up to see that Santa had come Larry will be gone and I don't want him to miss anything." But luckily, Natalie woke up at 8 and didn't notice anything ("I want eggs, mom") and Brady woke up as Larry walked in the front door!

Then at 11, my brother Richard and his girlfriend Hannah, my mom and her fiance Bill, and us had brunch. I figured it would be easier to do than try to orchestrate a big dinner (last year's was a disaster). Then Hannah and Rich could still have time to go visit her family. Brady loves his "Uncle".

Now comes the clean up, something I suck at. And Larry (not me) forgot to take the damn garbage can to the curb last night!!!! Brady will love to take an extra trip to the dump, but what a pain in the ass. I did make a large trip to Goodwill today while Brady played at Aiden's. It's becoming difficult to purge toys with him around.

It was a really nice day, and topped off by a visit from Tracy and her friend Holly and Holly's son Salem. He got a REAL Light Saber, way cool. Larry's eyes lit up when he saw it. I sure hope everyone had a peaceful celebration, on to New Years!

Christmas in the City

We went to Seattle yesterday to do all the things I listed earlier, it was such an awesome trip! The weather was beautiful, and the whole day was just so much fun!
First we stopped at the Seattle Center and caught the monorail to Westlake Center. The kids absolutely loved it, though Brady had a death grip on my hand until the monorail started and he noticed that Natalie was standing with her face against the window, then he thought it was pretty cool.

Then we cruised over to Macy's to see Santa (on the 5th floor!) and stood in line for 20 minutes to see him. Natalie started to get nervous as we got closer and I tried every bribe in the book (and told her that Santa held the Carousel tickets, and she couldn't go unless she sat on his lap, prepping her for pedophiles?) So the picture is being mailed and you bet it will be posted, very little of her body was touching Santa and she is very red. This is the first year I've had a child react so strongly against Santa. Brady has been nervous before, but never frightened. But she wanted her "payoff" of the carousel ride, so we went back to Westlake to wait in another line to ride on that... but we had fun in line!

We had a celebrity sighting (minor, but I'm a huge fan) Joel McHale from The Soup on E!. So I snagged a picture, he used to be on Almost Live! here in Seattle back in the day, so he must have been home for the holidays. I didn't bug him though because he was clearly with family. But I did paparazzi his ass! And this poor, unfortunate girl was in line too, I thought I had the worst haircut in childhood history (will post later) but this girl takes top honors. Got a picture of that too.

Then back on the monorail to McCall Hall to watch the Nutcracker. I'm sorry but nothing holds a candle to watching it there. The Hall is grand, the sets are designed and painted by Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild things are and Little Bear) and an old friend of mine's parents actually founded the Pac NW Ballet, and the choreography is done by his dad, Kent Stowell, world class! And the kids loved it, which made me so happy. Larry loved it too.

Well I'm pooped, got a itunes gift cert. for Christmas, so I've got to get to work on my rap CD before bed. Will post about Christmas tomorrow!

Ornaments

I am finally fed up with the lack of ornaments my kids are bringing home from school. Natalie beat Brady with the first ornament (he's been in preschool for almost 3 years now!) with a lovely tongue depressor star. Then Brady came home with the classic pony-bead candy cane. Finally! I was so excited to put them on the tree! And tonight I let them drip glue and swish glitter into a couple of glass balls and of course Brady chose the BLACK glitter ("and some pink too mom") And Natalie was all yellow, pink, and white. So the tree is coming along nicely. For years, my girl scout ornaments were the only homegrown thing on there (besides the one remaining mice-sleeping-in-a walnut my mom made when we lived in Shafter).

Larry and I also started collecting the Swarovski snowflakes the year we got married (2000) and I believe that is when they started making these ornaments, maybe I'm wrong (like I'd admit it if I found out I am) So we have 8 snowflakes and the tree topper that matches. I can't wait until one day our entire tree will be nothing but Swarovski Snowflakes! That is if I don't kill Larry first, but then I could still buy them because I'd be a widow and technically still married... but I digress :) Nah, I love the guy to much. And I want him to see our tree someday too, covered with all the years of our marriage.

Allied Arts

Today I went to Allied Arts with my sista from another mista Tracy. I look forward to going every year and purchase some great gifts ( I totally buy-in to the "buy local" thing, makes our community feel more like home I think, and I esp. like that feeling since I grew up in such a small town. Does any of this make sense?)
I had to SEARCH to buy something this year! It was basically, jewelers, photographers, and soap/lotion makers. And the jewelry I liked was $$$. Like $70 for a simple bracelet? Or $150 for a box? It makes it hard to buy local when you're getting bent over the cash register. I did buy myself a bag of raw hazelnuts (healthier snack option, right?) and picked up a few photos of bicycles for Larry (at $3.50 per 4x6 photo!)
Then I went and nixed out my healthy snack by having a bialy with feta-garlic-dill spread and a yum-o best-in-the-world mocha from Avellino's. You could smell me comin' around the corner I'm sure.
Tomorrow we are off to Seattle to a. ride the monorail b. see Santa c. ride the carousel and d. watch the Nutcracker. Then my mom and her NEW FIANCE Bill (a topic not ready to post about, but getting there) will be over to help me tidy up and get the brunch prepped for Santa's big day... I mean the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. Oh, did I say our? I mean not mine, maybe yours. That's another post topic!

I can't stop

So I found a few more, this is going to become a double album. Don't worry TracY, you'll get the first copy ;)

• Lodi Dodi (Snoop Dogg)
• Gin and Juice (same)
• Nuthin' but a G Thang (Dr. Dre)
• Hypnotize (Notorious B.I.G.)
• Parent's just don't understand (DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince)

Plus of course some of the suggestions you make (Kate, you'll be gettin a copy!)

Old School Compilation

So I love old rap. And Funk. So I'm going to make myself a CD of all my fav. sing (rap) along songs... But I need your input (maybe I'll burn you one if you contribute!) Here is what I have so far:

• Me, Myself and I (De La Soul)


• Joy and Pain (Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock)


• It takes Two (same)


• 2 Legit 2 Quit (MC Hammer)


• Supersonic (L'Trimm)


• Da Roof is on Fire (DJ Funk)


• Push It (Salt n Peppa)


• Da Dip (Freak Nasty)


• Bust a Move (Young MC)


• Jump Around (House of Pain)


• Ice, Ice, Baby (Vanilla Ice)


• My Posse's on Broadway (Sir Mix-a-lot)


• Baby's got Back (same)


• Wild Wild West (Kool Moe Dee)


• I Wish (Skee-lo)


• Tootsie Roll (69 Boyz)


• You Be Illin (Run DMC)
• It's Tricky (same)
• No Sleep Till Brooklyn (Beastie Boys)
• Rapper's Delight (Sugarhill Gang)
• Funky Cold Medina (Tone Loc)
• Wild Thing (same)
• Colors (Ice-T)
• Just a Friend (Biz Markie)
• Good Vibrations (Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch)
• The Humpty Dance (Digital Underground)
• Freaks of the Industry (same)
• O.P.P. (Naughty by Nature)
• Mama said knock you out (LL Cool J)
• Today was a good Day (Ice Cube)
• California Love (Tupac)

What am I missing?

Movin on up

So they logged some property just down the hill from us this summer, and looky what we got! That is a bonified water view from our back deck. Don't ask me how much zoom I used to get this shot, but that is still Bellingham Bay and the islands, damnit! And check out that sunset for the first day of Winter! Lovin' living here in Whatcom County...

Pint Size Pagent

Natalie had her last day of Toddler Preschool yesterday, and they had a cookie exchange and sang to us (I have tried several times to post video and it gives me an error message every time!) Natalie was the star of the show, you have to see the video to truly appreciate what a ham she is. These pics are her with a gift that she made for Larry and I; her dancing partner and "my fren", Natalie's expression cracks me up!; and of course the man that she has wrapped around her little finger so tight it cuts of circulation, her daddy. Once again no physical proof that I attended this event.

Well, have to run off for my Orthodontist appointment, maybe they'll tell me when I'll get these off!

Check Up's

So we had to get up early this morning and take both the kids to their dental checkup, I took them in their pajamas, less fighting (between me and them).

Brady has a cavity (that can't wait to fall out) GREAT. But the bittersweet news really is that one of his 6 year old molars is in. WHAT?! What happened to my little boy? That is a permanent tooth! My how time flies. And I was told that his front teeth will fall out within the year. I REMEMBER losing my front teeth, it is so strange that I have a child that is forming memories now that he will carry through life. It's easy to think that children aren't absorbing their environment, or that they will forget a traumatic event (not that losing a tooth is traumatic, but certainly exciting). But then I look back and remember my preschool days, and think "Brady is creating those same memories for himself now." Whoa- to quote Joey Lawrence.

Enough of the existential bullshit, but man it slams me in the gut how fast this is all going sometimes! Childhood is so fleeting!

Check It

Jealous much? I really tried to write my kids name on the gift tag, but when it came down to actually writing on the tag, my name came as the recipient! So Norman the dog is the giver of this totally awesome old-school gift! Who wants a sno-cone!

Brady had his Christmas Pageant on Monday (one of the nice things about private preschool, there is a little tradition left) and this year he wanted to be a lamb. I couldn't find my cotton balls so I couldn't do my first idea, then my week disappeared anticipating Jackie's visit. So the poor kid ended up in this (beats the kid next to him, his whole family showed up and he didn't even dress up! BTW Baby group, that's COLE) so he is wearing a purple headband (Larry was not too pleased) with glued together pieces of felt. What a half ass lamb. I thought he was too old to paint a nose and whiskers on, plus he had to go back to class afterwards. The only caption I can think for this picture of Brady is "Take the freakin' picture mom!" Any suggestions? And little miss Natalie Sue, well I just thought this picture was cute, so there.

Years and Miles

One of my oldest and dearest friends Jackie came for a visit this weekend. She moved to Minnesota when she fell in love (super nice, super cute guy). I always miss her presence, but she one of those friends that even though I hadn't seen her in over 3 years, our friendship always picks up where it left off. Of course I talk to her (not so much talk, more like spread gossip) at least once a week. I've been friends with her since 7th grade, but we've been schoolmates since Kindergarten at good ol South Whidbey Elementary, and we walked down the aisle together at graduation at South Whidbey High. I remember feeling fat in the picture on the top (OK, in the bottom picture too) back in 1991(?). But look! I have a collarbone and only 1 chin! What was I so worked up over my self image for back then, because we all see what happens after 15 years and a couple of kids. BTW, that is my "I'm a bad ass bar wench" face. Pretty convincing,huh? I was never a good actor. The best part about Jackie too is our one line queue's we have, like an old married couple like "salsa stick" and "Airmont". Stealing cars and meeting boys on summer vacation at the beach. She introduced me to all kinds of unsavory music and movies, and really formed a huge part of who I am. And I still talk to her anyway ;)

White Elephant Rant

So I went to my Bunco party last night ( I totally love all the ladies that are a part of it, I look forward to it every month!) and we had a "White Elephant" gift exchange at the end. Now, to me a true White Elephant is something that makes you groan "good gawd, where on earth did they find this and why did they wrap it up and give it to ME?" right? So, my gift, courtesy of my brother Richard who works at the king of Crapola ARCHIE McPHEE's (coolest place on earth) was a faux fur leopard print fez with a tassel. Cool, huh? Most of the gifts were NICE! I was kind of irked (sorry if you were there, but this is MY BLOG) I ended walking home with a snowman coffee mug filled with a bag of red Mn M's (which I actually need for this weekends reindeer party, score!) Am I the only one (besides a couple others, like Brooke's cookie jar, but people I think actually wanted that) that wasn't afraid to piss someone off? OK, the finger vibrator wasn't too bad, but who wants to say "I'd like to steal the vibrator and take that home instead of these slipper socks?" Well, one person did, but we expected her to. All in all it was a wonderful evening with wonderful women. Though I seem to only go to Bunco to add money to the pot, I never take any of money home! Queen of the Half-Ass!

Come on, everyone's doin' it

Go Elf Yourself, though ours is the cutest I've seen! Try to top it!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9629318909

Take 1

So here is my blog. I'm lazy about blogging on myspace, maybe this will keep me on top of it. I plan to rant a lot and gripe a lot as that is my nature.

So what have I been up to? Well as well as getting most of my shopping done online, I also made a stop on Amazon.com and bought myself a couple more books for my collection of my Great Aunt Beth's works. I hope to have a complete (in duplicate) library of all of her title's. So I ordered 2 more of her Pollyanna books Pollyanna's Door to Happiness and Pollyanna's Golden Horseshoe. I originally thought she had only written 3 of the Pollyanna Series, but later discovered these other 2. She also has a children's book called I, Juan de Pareja that won a Newberry (or Caldecott, I never remember without going downstairs to look). And some of her stories are especially wonderful for me because they chronicle her life and love story. I get a lot of family history from her through her writings. My family travelled to Mexico to visit her in 1985 and it was such a life altering trip. I'm so glad I got to visit with her once more before she passed.

And another thing I've been wondering about: Is it strange that my 5 year old wants everything Black when there is a choice in color? Black playdoh, Black iturtle (we had to go to Burger King today and get one, YUCK) etc. Is he going through is goth phase early? I mean if his goth phase is playdoh and toy turtles, you won't hear me complain, especially when your teenagers are stealing your black eyeliner and wearing their hair over their eyes.