MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas and A Healthy, Happy New Year!

Christmas Questions!

I am stealing this from 2 friends. You can read their blogs as well! The Tompkins Family and A Life Full of Sunshine and Rainbows


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping Paper! Mike won't let me use gift bags because its "Not Fun" but who does all the wrapping around here? Yep, me....Well I did trick a couple of my nieces into wrapping about half of the presents but thats besides the point. I hate wrapping but the kids love ripping paper up.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial....Can you imagine me trying to keep something else alive. I am barely successful at keeping Mike, the kids and dog happy, healthy and fed, let alone a Christmas tree that needs special care. Until they invent a tree that whines at me and tells me that its thirsty and needs water, it will be a fake tree for us.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Anytime after December 1st and before the 25th.

4. When do you take the tree down?
A few days after Christmas, I hate looking at Christmas crap for too long!

5. Do you like eggnog?
Ummm No! It sounds disgusting and tastes even worse.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Alf Doll, and Don't Wake the Dragon Game, probably the Sega was a favourite too!

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, We have 3. One Little one that I bought when Ella was just tiny and she loved to hide the people like Easter Eggs everywhere. One is a small precious moments one that always makes me giggle because My Sister In Law gave it to me and well there is a story behind it but this is neither the time or place to share it...Its not rude, just makes me giggle is all. My Mom gave me the third one this year. It was my Grandmas. My mom hand painted it (Minus one goat that was lost and now found - hes still white). I do have another one at my parents house somewhere as well. Its a bigger Precious Moments set and its plastic and well Baby Jesus may be a little banged up. I may or may not have thrown it at my mom when I was younger and mad at the prospect of books for Christmas. Now I beg for books instead of threaten my mom with Baby Jesus.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Mike but I like what I bought for him this year, yes the key is I like it!

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Camden , he is so easy to please!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail but mostly to far away mom friends and a couple family members.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Hmmm...It wasn't really a bad present but maybe given at an inappropriate time. It was a red satiny short robe with matching ummm well not quite lingerie but definitely not PJ's type thing. Mike gave it to me in front of his parents and brothers a few Christmases ago. My face turned as red as the present. It wouldn't bother me now ,but I was still fairly new to his family then.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Love Actually!!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Early like Summer time.

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present?
Probably but can't say for sure, what if the person read this.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
EVERYTHING, What Kind of Question is that...oh wait except Eggnog or mince meat pies...Ewww

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
White, its classy!

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Away in a Manger and The First Noel

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Both of our families live Close by and so even when we do travel its 15 minutes at the most.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes, but spelling the names may be a whole different thing.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
An angel for sure!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning and one special present for the kids on Christmas Eve - Usually PJ's

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
How fast the time goes.

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?
All our ornaments are special. We have a mixed matched tree of all sorts of ornaments but they all mean something.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year?
For a Healthy Happy Christmas and A Healthy Happy New Year for us as well as Family and Friends.

Don't forget to stop by my friends blogs. The Tompkins Family and A Life Full of Sunshine and Rainbows

Slacker!

     I am a total slacker today.  I am sorry about that but I guess better late than never!  While I was slacking from posting, I did however to manage to get quite a bit accomplished though.  Oh, lets see.  I did my eleventy billion loads of laundry (even folded and put away, please hold your applause until the very end ladies and gentlemen) and then I did a few more loads.  Seriously the baby goes through 4-6 outfits a day.  I cleaned Camden's room (organized the toys and closet).  It was no easy task and he kept un-cleaning it as I cleaned.  I cleaned Harmony's room while Camden un-organized all her clothes in her closet.  The kitchen got thoroughly messed up when we made Rice Krispy Squares.  Lets just say a bowl of marshmallows didn't explode all over the microwave. Then I cleaned up the whole kitchen. I even sewed some more Christmas stuff.  In between being productive I wrapped presents, changed diapers, fed kids, put baby down to nap twice (Camden doesn't nap anymore LUCKY ME) and begged Mike to pick up something for supper. 

    So I may have been slacking in the writing department today but Mom's never get a day off and Christmas is coming rather quick and well stuff has got to get down.  It's all up to me.  Tomorrow might be another slacker day for me which means I will be so busy I may not get a chance to even sit down at the computer.

Not so Wordless Wednesday - New Addition

     Sorry this is kind of a late post but I went on a Pre - Christmas Adventure with my sister and I should have learned my lesson.  They never end well.  Well I guess they end well but the middle part is always squidgy and leaves you fearing for your life.  Needless to say I have banned myself from anymore pre-Christmas Adventures with my sister in the future.  I did get home in time to vacuum and wash the floor in preparation for the new addition to the house.  Now I am just waiting to be delivered so I can add a picture to this post.

     Well there it is! Our Piano.  A Family Heirloom passed down from Mike's Family.  Ella is very excited to be able to start Piano Lessons sometime in the very near future. 

Youtube Tuesday - Sesame Street - Yes Please

     I got little or no sleep least night.  It was kinda hazy but the kids alternated getting up every 20 minutes or so.  I stopped counting when I reached 20. I couldn't rationally think or count past 20 at that point anyway.  They weren't sick, wet, thirsty or hungry, just restless.  Just for good measure and to make sure I didn't get to sleep once the kids finally seemed to settle down the dog fell down some stairs, then I was up worrying about our old, beloved Tanner who I swear better not die at Christmas or Mike will be useless these holidays.  Needless to say, no sleep = lazy day.

     We were going to pop in a movie when we came across this video on a friend's blog .

Camden was fascinated and because one YouTube video always leads to another and you can't watch just one.

These are some other favourites we watched today for a good hour or more (It still counts as quality time right? We were all snuggled up together in the chair.).

and this one...Jason Mraz anyone?

and who doesn't love a little Bruno Mars....

and for good measure and I love Billy Joel and it make me smile plus we couldn't find Elton John on Sesame Street just the Muppet show and well this is all about sesame street.

     I hope you enjoyed some of the videos we have enjoyed this morning.  They are fun, silly and have a good measure.   Not much of that type of thing around these days, plus who can resist Sesame Street.  Not I or two babies who love to cuddle up on mom after a restless night.

Thank God She's Cute!

     My Sunday evening plans were foiled by a 6 month old.  I watch one hour of TV a week..Just one measly hour ( more like 45 minutes since there is no commercials) of one show I enjoy watching.  I really don't think its too much to ask to have one hour to sit and enjoy the feel of sitting back in the recliner and just vegging.  Apparently it is and definitely if you have been looking forward to it all week long. 

   Harmony is a sneaky little bugger. She went to sleep around 8:30 and since Ella was in bed and asleep shortly after 8 so I was ecstatic.  Well Harmony must have heard Camden wasn't going to be home to occupy mommy's time and cause trouble so she decided she couldn't be outdone by Camden, time to raise a little hell. She had a 20 minute cat nap and then proceeded to cry, fuss, giggle and play until 11:30 pm and in the process I only got to watch snippets of my show...and I missed the end...the big shocker to finish off the season. 

     I tried putting her to bed but she just screamed and freaked out.  I would pick her up to try and feed,burp, change, bounce , rock or snuggle her and her eyes would pop open and she was all bright eyed and smiling.  How can you be mad with those big blue eyes and cute grin staring back. 

     So all in all, because I love Harmony more than a shocking season finale of Dexter, I missed it.  I have however promised that as long as she shall live in our house I will make her miss the last 15 minutes of every show that has any significance to her. Nope, see I am not bitter at all.  Times like this my favourite saying is well Thank God she's cute, especially since I just laid her down for her morning nap with out so much as a peep out of her.

(Photo Courtesy Of Amy V)

Poop Surprise

   I have been getting hit hard on the poop front lately and frankly, I am kind of sick of all the crap...literally.   Not mine, I know when I have to go and thankfully I have been potty trained for 24 years.  

  Harmony the once a week pooper (yes, its completely normal for breast fed babies to only poop once a week) has started eating real food and well with real food comes a whole lot of poop.  I am constantly being well, surprised with what we call around here little poop surprises.  You know the kind where it hides in the back so when you open the diaper, you think you are in the clear and you pull that diaper off and suddenly surprise there is poo and now its everywhere and it didn't even stink like poo, how is that possible.  Of course there are like only 2 wipes left in the container and if you had of smelled poo you would have grabbed more. *sigh* Now there is a poo mess to clean and usually you are alone so its up to you.

    Camden is even worse for the "Poop Surprise".  He knows he did it but generally won't tell you  and it doesn't always stink either. I have been changing him standing up if its just pee so I can get him to sit on the potty.  This ends disastrously because well then you get little Poop Surprises all over the floor.  Camden think its extra hilarious and yells "Poop Surprise, I surprised you".  Never a good surprise.

     Camden also surprised me the other day by leaving a trail across the dining room floor.  It looked like the Easter Bunny had hit us up early.  I was trying the bottomless potty training method and lets just say it wasn't a huge hit.  I am not a big fan of almost stepping in poo or cleaning it up off the floor.

     Anyone else get hit with the good old Poop Surprise? Make me feel better and tell me some of your funny Poop Surprise stories...about your kids, not really into adult poop surprise stories...they aren't nearly as cute.

Thankful Thursday - Counting My Blessings

     On this rainy day, in December (Really, a warmish , rainy day, in December?  I don't get it.) I am counting my blessings.

1. I have 3 healthy, happy, beautiful, and smart children.  I really couldn't ask for more.
2. Mike and I are healthy, happy and doing great.
3. A warm house filled with laughter and love (OK and the odd yelling NO, DON'T POOP ON the oh its already too late you pooped on the floor...remember the POTTY!!!!).
4. A messy house. Really I am thankful for a messy house? Yes, I am because I can clean it up and it means...My kids have fun, are fed, clothed and bathed.  I am so busy doing all those things oh and sleeping (yeah right) that sometimes the house work slides a little bit.
5. LEGO - Hours of endless entertainment!
6. Naps because they are few and far between here, so when they happen its a miracle.  Even better if we all nap at the same time.
7. Our families, because we have the best families we could ever ask for.

     I am very happy and thankful for all that we have.  I truly Thank God for everyone and everything we have been blessed with.

Not so Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Picture Outtakes

The kids can't always look super freakin' adorable, after all they are kids so enjoy these outtakes from our family Christmas Pictures

First of all they are suckers not smoking cigarettes...That's just silly they are in our dining room, we would never allow them to smoke in the house.  I'm kidding, Well not really...they really are suckers, but lets go with they aren't allowed to smoke at all. We decided this picture was so cute even though it wasn't a planned picture, it captures their personalities.

Mother of the Year goes to me of course, for allowing their baby to chew on Christmas lights while they were plugged in.  I should have at least unplugged them first because you know wires with sharp pointy pieces of glass are an excellent first choice for cutting those teeth, cutting get it...yeah I'm tired this morning.  I did take them out of her mouth right away, I promise.

Seriously Mom?! Matching PJ's and wrapped in Tinsel? This is embarrassing.

Maybe Mom won't notice I am being a brat if I smile this exceptionally cute smile?

He's Choking Me, Stop Him...please...*whine, whine, whine*

Oh come on suck it up, at least he is still smiling, if you would too these would be cute...FINE, CAMDEN YOU ARE HURTING YOUR SISTER STOP NOW!

     Well, there you have it folks, a few outtakes from our lovely Christmas pictures.  If you have kids you know how hard it is to get them all to look, smile and act appropriately well trying to obtain lasting memories.  You are lucky to walk away with one usable shot, children intact and a voice, if you haven't lost it from all the screaming (One more pic, I swear if you don't sit still smile blah blah blah NO PRESENTS EVER) 

     Have a lovely, safe and happy day today.  Don't forget to smile and enjoy the remaining few days until Christmas.  See you back here tomorrow.

Things that make us giggle

     So after surfing the Internet because procrastination is my middle name and really, you can't fold and put away the eleventy billion loads of laundry with children who refuse to nap.  We surf the Internet together because the family that surfs together stays together...or something like that anyways.  What did kids do before the Internet? Oh yeah outside.

     We came across this website called Picsauce and it makes me giggle.  I warn you some of it may not be in the best taste, so view at your own risk.  Its quirky and strange and mostly not rude but with any website there is questionable content.  We just scrolled through and found the content that was funny or cute for the kids. 



Here is Camden's Pick ...this piggy makes him giggle like a crazed maniac.  Its a picture from a Geico commercial.

Its from this Geico commercial.

This is kinda cool. Not funny but neat and Ella found it FUN.

I also have a couple other funny websites I like to click around on occasionally.

One is Why did you buy me that . A website that people send in pictures of gift giving gone wrong. Here are a couple lovely gems of gifts people have received.

Absolutely horrifying and funny.

Hmmmm...ok.

Check out the website for more horrible gifts.

So a little funny for your day.  A reminder to laugh and not take life so seriously.

We are SUCKY Free!

     Last week I was sick. The whining around here was unbearable and it was mostly coming from me.  I was having a hard time dealing with it all while Mike worked the afternoon shift.  Really I hate when he is gone from 2-11:30.  It really does make for a long day.

    Lately Camden has gone for the occasional bedtime sucky user to a full time junkie. It was driving me crazy.  He would wander around all day whining, begging, crying for a fix. "I want my sucky, I need my sucky, where is my sucky, SUCKY NOW!" I got sick of him acting like a addict.  I was beyond frustrated and well Daddy is too soft hearted to be the bad guy.  Daddy was a Camden -Sucky enabler.  It had to go.  In a fit of desperation and less than no patience I swapped his good suckys for his old suckys and grabbed the scissors (Good suckys were stashed high in the cupboard in case this plan backfired and mommy gave in).  Camden was of course in full out meltdown mode but that wasn't stopping me, this had to end now.  His endless whining was making me a little bit insane, OK a whole lot insane. 

     Scissors in hand I proceeded to cut up his sucky's in front of him.  Judge away, but it worked.  He was mad for maybe an hour but likely less, it just felt like an hour.  He asked about his sucky only 2 more times in 3 days. I consider that success. 

    We made a huge deal about what a big boy he is and he asked for some big boy LEGO.  We were more than happy to oblige the poor little guy.  I feel bad for snatching away his beloved sucky but seriously the whining was beyond terrible. 

    We are now sucky free and happy.  The next battle potty training. Stay tuned.

Weekend Wrap up - Healthy- ish

     I am glad to report that I am healthy again.  I think Little Miss Harmony is feeling much better as well and Camden seems to be fine so far.  Mike, well poor Mike isn't feeling so hot.  He isn't sick but he is a little achy and a bit weak.  I sure hope he doesn't get the full illness because nothing is worse than the Man-Cold. 

     We enjoyed a quieter weekend filled with family birthdays, a family dinner and lots of LEGO building. 

     I would love to kiss whoever invented LEGO, unless they are deceased because you know I am not really into that type of thing.  Call me crazy but decomposition isn't really one of my turn ons but enough about that.  LEGO has captured the hearts of 2 out of 3 little people in this house and well 2 big people as well.  We have discovered that its a huge motivator in this house, so we have been working on a certain little guy's potty training or well lack there of. We also used it as a motivator for another huge success in this house over the weekend but more about that tomorrow.

     Overall, a good weekend spent with great people. It's great to be feeling better so that I can catch up on all the stuff I missed before, like the eleventy billion loads of laundry to be put away.  Yes, I know eleventy billion isn't a real number but it describes perfectly the amount of clean laundry that is heaped on the laundry room floor just begging to be folded and put away.  Ella's room also needs a good once over, well more like twice or three times over, my that child can create disaster in 10 seconds flat.  She claims her room threw up, cute right? Yeah not so much when its me cleaning it.  Good thing I have Christmas and LEGO as a motivator.

      I hope everyone had a relaxing, healthy and happy weekend.  Don't forget to come back tomorrow to read all about Camden's big boy achievement that earned him some big boy Toy Story 3 LEGO.

A Sick Week?

     So my sick "day" turned into pretty much a sick week.  I am so annoyed.  I haven't been sick in quite a while.  I would like to credit the fact that I rarely leave my house anymore.  I go out on the weekend and well I end up sick, lesson learned..no more leaving the comforts of home for a germ filled anything.(Not really, I am not a germaphobe but I do hate being sick). 

     We are all sick of me being sick.  Did I mention the baby isn't feeling great either.  I am only guessing since she can't tell me and neither of us have a fever.  We are both cranky and sleep deprived.  Paired with a toddler filled with lovely toddler angst , its super pleasant around here right about now. 

    Mike's on afternoons which is pure hell from 2-11:30 with him gone.  I sure wish he could have straight days.  How do you possibly entertain a toddler while sick, with a sick baby as well.  Thank God for Grampa Grampa.  They brought him his movies that he left there and threw a 2 hour tantrum about until he could watch them.  Gotta love those terrible twos. Funny, I don't remember Ella being quite as horrible. 

    I am very Thankful for Movies and Legos.  They have been entertaining the kids (minus the baby) or a couple hours now.  I hope everyone sleeps so I can just feel better!

In the holiday spirit!

     On this dreary, gross day, I have decided it may just be time to start pulling out the holiday movies.  That and I am declaring this another sick day because even though I took a sick day yesterday I doped up on Advil and cleaned the house because I couldn't stand looking at it anymore...I also felt guilty for laying around while Camden was at Grandmas.

      I am not a huge holiday movie watcher but I have a couple that are musts and am currently looking for a few more to add to our list.

Jen's Must See Holiday Movies

Love Actually

ELF

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

     See a pretty short list.  I also have movies that I hate to watch at Christmas and I know it will shock many as its their favourite Christmas movie but I HATE HATE HATE Christmas Vacation. Are there any must see movies for the holiday season that I missed?

     I am also on the look out for a great children's book about the real meaning of Christmas.  All the ones I currently have are long and don't hold the children's attention.  If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

    OK, so maybe no sick day here, the baby needs way too much attention.  Maybe she will let me lounge?

Wordless Wednesday with Apologies

     A big apology for no blog post yesterday I took a sick day yesterday and I think will be taking another sick day today, not that Moms get sick days but you know...so I am a Little behind in blogging and well life in general. Enjoy these cute little behinds...

  

Weekend Wrap Up - Perfect Weekend

     We had the perfect weekend.  We did stuff with the kids.  We cleaned up the house.  We spent time with family.  We went out, with out kids.

     It was a family wedding.  We ditched the kids and got dressed up in our best. 

     I may have had a few beers.  We danced and it was perfect.  Mike even sang in my ear during a slow dance or two.  I am a sucker for romantic gestures, beer and cheesy cell phone pics.

Hmmmmm.....

     I am happy to report that after 5 years, kids, a dog and a house he still makes me weak in the knees and all butterflies in my tummy.  His eyes still light up when he sees me dressed up all pretty, which doesn't happen very often anymore but when it does he still makes a big deal about it.  He sure knows his way to this girls heart.  I feel like I have won the lottery.  I didn't think a man like Mike existed but I am so glad I found him.  Back off girls, he's taken but he does have a single brother

Funny Family Friday

     So because I was at my sisters last night and I consumed way too much caffeine during the entire day Thursday and was bouncing off the walls by bedtime...this is what is stuck in my head.

     There is a bit of back story to this.  When we walked into my sisters house last night all we could smell was poo.  It smelled like the septic had backed up.  We later discovered the smell was coming from outside, probably a farmers field that had been sprayed.  The entire time we were there my nieces and nephew kept singing this song since they have a chronic addiction to YouTube (they range in ages from 18-10) and they think poo is hilarious. Kids never really grow up!

     So thank you guys for getting this ridiculous song stuck in my head and probably the tea, cafe latte, and 3 giant glasses of pop I consumed didn't help either.

     This is why I love my family, they are crazy and loud.  We get each other and always have a great time just being dumb!  I can't wait until Christmas.  All our best stuff comes from family get togethers (Kaitlin and the silly goo, yep, good times). 

     So today I am loving my family with a giant grin, because we are SPECIAL, in a special ed sort of way that only we get!

Bedtime Bargaining

    I am sure many parents are familiar with the toddler tactic of stalling but Camden has taken it to a new level, beyond the usual, I want more milk and I need my sucky tantrums.  At 2 years old, I am quite impressed really. 

Camden's are quite funny.

• C: Oh who made this big mess in my room? Not me,(blames it on one of his relatives)  but I better clean it up before bed.

•   C: I can't go to bed now, there is a hockey game I have to watch.  M: No, there isn't. C: Baseball then? M: Nope. C: How about Basketball?

• C: I can't nap now, I have to change my clothes there is some work I have to do outside first.

• C: My toys aren't put away in the right spots, I better fix it.

•  C: I'm not tired, but you are Mommy.  I'll tuck you in and I'll stay up. M: Who is going to do all Mommy's work then? C: I will take care of the baby and change her bum. Do laundry, do the dishwasher, vacuum. M: Who is going to change your bum?  C: Hmmm, Maybe I 'll go to bed.

• C: I need my bum changed before bed , there's a poop surprise.  M: You pooped again? C: Yep, you better change me now.  M: You didn't poop! C: I tricked Mommy!

• C: I need my other book.  M: Which Book? C: Ummmm Ummm...I need to get up and look and find it. M: Nope, bedtime! C:  I neeeeeeeeeeed to read my other one.

• C: The sun is out. It's nice out. I don't see the moon. It's not bedtime, it's daytime.

     Does anyone else have very creative children when it comes to bedtime dodging?