It happened. It really, really happened.
For the first time in four years, we made it to our family celebrations on Christmas day. Every other year, Logan had some nasty bug, leaving us at home, trying to convince ourselves that it was better that we could just stay home and relax.
We made a few changes in the week before Christmas to try to keep the germs at bay, and for the most part, it worked. Granted, G was up with a bad cold and fever half the night last night, but I'll take it on December 26th.
Because we made it, and therefore we had so many memories I don't want to forget.
It made me laugh until my cheeks hurt, watching L going up to the stage at church and completely blanking out when the pastor asked him what his favorite story was, then blurting out, "CURIOUS GEORGE'S DREAM!" and interrupting another little girl's answer, delighting the congregation to no end.
It made me remember my own childhood as I watched L's contagious enthusiasm over opening every.single.gift....screaming over everything from the superhero socks to the Skechers Luminators he's been asking for for two years.
It made me smile fondly at G's delight over opening his gifts, but nothing beating out the excitement over his favorite stocking stuffer...a banana.
It made me realize the true definition of bittersweet as we watched previous Christmas mornings on our video camera, marveling at how much L used to look like G, and how much healthier he looks and sounds since we've diagnosed his food allergies. Hearing myself ask him if he thought he needed his inhaler simultaneously hurt my heart and gave me a sense of pride that I helped give my child's health back to him.
It made me proud that instead of buying each other gifts, B and I gave extra money at church to help solve the world water crisis. And it made me shake my head when they reminded us once again that $20 billion would solve the problem completely, and $450 billion is spent on Christmas gifts each year.
It made me realize how time slips through my fingers when I went downstairs at B's aunt and uncle's house to check on L as he played pool (or as he calls it, "billiards") with the big boys. He placed his hand on my shoulder and gently said, "Mommy, walk away from me please." Of course, I obeyed.
It made my heart warm when G asked me to nurse him by signing "milk," and adding "please," so I quietly took him into the master bedroom and sang him Christmas carols as we nursed for what will be the last Christmas nursing session.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The post in which I hope I don't come off as a greedy brat
I have a confession to make. I absolutely love to receive gifts. Before you judge, know that it doesn't have to be expensive in the slightest to excite me. Honestly, if someone brings me a pack of my favorite gum or burns me a CD, I become giddy. I know that Christmas isn't about the gifts, as I posted a few weeks ago. But I admit it...I love giving and receiving (without going overboard financially). So sue me.
B, on the other hand, doesn't care nearly as much about gifts. He doesn't like opening them in front of people and he typically doesn't like things I buy him, at least at first. There have been times, like the Great Label Maker Debacle of 2008, when he originally thinks he hates the gift I pick out for him, and then can't live without it.
Usually, I spell out exactly what I want for holidays. I've even been known to order it online for myself. This year, I told him I wanted a foot massager, but I wanted him to do the research and find a decent one. Apparently, I offended him with that comment and he said he could handle my gifts just fine on his own.
And did he ever.
I got a gift certificate for.....
....and the most delicious chocolate ever created (the label says Dark Chocolate 60% Cacao)
....and the gift that keeps on giving (and lasts oh so much longer now that I've removed dairy from my diet due to breastfeeding. Who knew that Starbucks' delicious iced Black teas were half the price of mochas? Plus, I swear the tea increases my milk production. That's what I choose to believe, anyway.)
....but my man really outdid himself with the Mack Daddy of foot massagers. I was seriously thinking I'd get one of those wooden bars to rub my feet over. B busted this one out and I might have screamed a little. I have plantar fasciitis and bone spurs, and am constantly complaining about my foot pain. This thing squeezes...hard. It rolls, it kneads, it vibrates. If I didn't love B so much for buying it for me, I might replace him with it. (I kid, I kid.)
What was YOUR favorite gift that you gave or received?
B, on the other hand, doesn't care nearly as much about gifts. He doesn't like opening them in front of people and he typically doesn't like things I buy him, at least at first. There have been times, like the Great Label Maker Debacle of 2008, when he originally thinks he hates the gift I pick out for him, and then can't live without it.
Usually, I spell out exactly what I want for holidays. I've even been known to order it online for myself. This year, I told him I wanted a foot massager, but I wanted him to do the research and find a decent one. Apparently, I offended him with that comment and he said he could handle my gifts just fine on his own.
And did he ever.
I got a gift certificate for.....
....and the most delicious chocolate ever created (the label says Dark Chocolate 60% Cacao)
....and the gift that keeps on giving (and lasts oh so much longer now that I've removed dairy from my diet due to breastfeeding. Who knew that Starbucks' delicious iced Black teas were half the price of mochas? Plus, I swear the tea increases my milk production. That's what I choose to believe, anyway.)
....but my man really outdid himself with the Mack Daddy of foot massagers. I was seriously thinking I'd get one of those wooden bars to rub my feet over. B busted this one out and I might have screamed a little. I have plantar fasciitis and bone spurs, and am constantly complaining about my foot pain. This thing squeezes...hard. It rolls, it kneads, it vibrates. If I didn't love B so much for buying it for me, I might replace him with it. (I kid, I kid.)
What was YOUR favorite gift that you gave or received?
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry frickin' Christmas.
On L's first Christmas, he was about 9 months old. He was sick with a terrible stomach virus that lasted through New Year's Eve. We were so sad for him, but we knew that he wouldn't even remember missing all the festivities of his first Christmas, and there was always next year.
And then he was sick in 2008, at 1 year and 9 months old. Again, we were sad for him, but we knew he really didn't get Christmas that year, and there was always next year.
Last year, we made it to the Christmas celebrations, but he was still fighting a cold. We all were. So we were upset that we still couldn't enjoy Christmas to the fullest, but of course, we said there was always next year.
This year, I've been obsessively worrying...even more so than usual. It seems like everyone we know has had strep and/or a stomach virus and I've been beyond psychotic with the hand sanitizer and trying to avoid germs. We made it to the Christmas service at my church on my birthday. I started to get my hopes up. Yesterday, L was visiting the bathroom more often than usual, and every time he went, I'd break out into a sweat, fearing the worst. But he seemed fine. I said a few extra prayers, hoping against hope that this year he'd finally be healthy.
G, however, has caught the cold that L had last week. Poor guy has a bad cough, but the doctor checked him out on Monday, and his ears and lungs sounded fine. Every day I frantically feel his head 2036809 times, worrying that the little cold was going to turn into something worse, ruining Christmas again.
We made it to my brother's house tonight for our Christmas Eve celebration and I finally started to breathe a little easier.
Just as I started to really relax, L threw up all over their kitchen floor.
My mom kept saying that something just got caught in his throat and gagged him, but I knew.
I wanted to leave before exposing everyone, including my pregnant sister-in-law, to this year's Christmas bug, but everyone insisted that we stay. L wanted to go home, so we decided to open our gifts quickly. L's scooter, Batmobile, and Harry Potter legos perked him up, so against my instinct, I reluctantly agreed to stay for dinner.
I glanced at L, riding his scooter around my brother's house, and noticed that he looked pale. He sighed and peered up at me with dark-ringed eyes. I got up from the table to feel his head...sure enough, burning up.
We packed up our things and headed home.
And as I type this, poor L has a 102 degree fever, diarrhea, and a headache.
There's always next year.
And then he was sick in 2008, at 1 year and 9 months old. Again, we were sad for him, but we knew he really didn't get Christmas that year, and there was always next year.
Last year, we made it to the Christmas celebrations, but he was still fighting a cold. We all were. So we were upset that we still couldn't enjoy Christmas to the fullest, but of course, we said there was always next year.
This year, I've been obsessively worrying...even more so than usual. It seems like everyone we know has had strep and/or a stomach virus and I've been beyond psychotic with the hand sanitizer and trying to avoid germs. We made it to the Christmas service at my church on my birthday. I started to get my hopes up. Yesterday, L was visiting the bathroom more often than usual, and every time he went, I'd break out into a sweat, fearing the worst. But he seemed fine. I said a few extra prayers, hoping against hope that this year he'd finally be healthy.
G, however, has caught the cold that L had last week. Poor guy has a bad cough, but the doctor checked him out on Monday, and his ears and lungs sounded fine. Every day I frantically feel his head 2036809 times, worrying that the little cold was going to turn into something worse, ruining Christmas again.
We made it to my brother's house tonight for our Christmas Eve celebration and I finally started to breathe a little easier.
Just as I started to really relax, L threw up all over their kitchen floor.
My mom kept saying that something just got caught in his throat and gagged him, but I knew.
I wanted to leave before exposing everyone, including my pregnant sister-in-law, to this year's Christmas bug, but everyone insisted that we stay. L wanted to go home, so we decided to open our gifts quickly. L's scooter, Batmobile, and Harry Potter legos perked him up, so against my instinct, I reluctantly agreed to stay for dinner.
I glanced at L, riding his scooter around my brother's house, and noticed that he looked pale. He sighed and peered up at me with dark-ringed eyes. I got up from the table to feel his head...sure enough, burning up.
We packed up our things and headed home.
And as I type this, poor L has a 102 degree fever, diarrhea, and a headache.
There's always next year.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Water Food for Thought
I'd give you an update on L, but I would prefer not to jinx myself.
However...does anyone out there with food allergies have any info on diarrhea in kids even after you take the allergens out of their diet? Thanks.
Moving on from poo-related issues. (You're welcome.)
Remember the church I raved about a couple weeks ago? Well, they started a program called Advent Conspiracy. Here's a video (a good one!) that explains it better and more artistically than I ever could.
I'll be honest...after watching it, I felt a little guilty. Granted, we only got L one big toy for Christmas (along with books, pj's, and a very cool Harry Potter shirt) but we also got him an MP3 player and docking station because the CD player in his room broke. Also, B's dad asked for the gift of time to help with some projects around his house, and we agreed to it, but also bought him a really nice gift on top of that.
At least I'm making my coworkers' gifts. But still.
How do you get out of the cycle of buying buying buying and not feeling guilty about it?
What are your thoughts on this? Tips are welcome too.
Namaste.
However...does anyone out there with food allergies have any info on diarrhea in kids even after you take the allergens out of their diet? Thanks.
Moving on from poo-related issues. (You're welcome.)
Remember the church I raved about a couple weeks ago? Well, they started a program called Advent Conspiracy. Here's a video (a good one!) that explains it better and more artistically than I ever could.
I'll be honest...after watching it, I felt a little guilty. Granted, we only got L one big toy for Christmas (along with books, pj's, and a very cool Harry Potter shirt) but we also got him an MP3 player and docking station because the CD player in his room broke. Also, B's dad asked for the gift of time to help with some projects around his house, and we agreed to it, but also bought him a really nice gift on top of that.
At least I'm making my coworkers' gifts. But still.
How do you get out of the cycle of buying buying buying and not feeling guilty about it?
What are your thoughts on this? Tips are welcome too.
Namaste.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
'Tis the season to stress over take pictures!
You may have noticed that I haven't posted too many pictures of my sweet boys together lately.
That's because I haven't taken too many pictures of my sweet boys together lately.
Why?
The long and short of it is because I am a complete and total perfectionist.
And considering it's almost impossible to get both boys to look at the camera at the same time, without moving, not to mention trying to get them both to smile, it's hard to achieve perfection.
Oh, and L refuses to hold his brother, throwing my dreams of watching them snuggle out the window. Sigh.
So I had pretty much given up on a Christmas holiday card, until Shutterfly came through and completely re-motivated me!!
I love Shutterfly. I always have. I've used them for prints, and bought photo books through them, and bought cards from them as well. They have never disappointed.
And I got a glimpse of their new holiday cards and I saw this one...
and just pictured the possibilities. Then I spent way too much time perusing the other cute cards and got super excited thinking of all the Christmas items in which I could stuff G for an adorable photo opp.
Heck, I got so motivated that I thought maybe I could get enough good pictures to make a photo calendar for my mom for Christmas.
Or send out New Year's cards!
And then I realized that was a heckuva lot of pictures with two boys who won't smile at the same time.
Ahem. We'll start with the Christmas cards.
The good news is that Shutterfly can motivate you, too...go here to submit your request to blog about Shutterfly and receive 50 free cards!
And then send me your tricks for getting two little boys to stay still, look at the camera, act like they like each other, and smile, all while wearing Santa hats.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Miracles
Christmas was absolutely fantastic for us this year. Both B and I remarked that it was the best one in a long time. Perhaps this was due to the fact that we experienced not one, not two, but three Christmas miracles this year!
First...Logan did not throw up...not once, all. day. long! His asthma seems to be somewhat under control at the moment, and I've been limiting food and drinks that can exacerbate reflux, which I am finding is correlated with asthma.
Second, Logan did not have one meltdown all. day. long! He showed patience while waiting for B to put his toys together, was obedient when I asked him to refrain from his very favorite activity, (running), and besides the few Harry Potter spells he tried to cast on people, was sweet as can be to everyone with whom he came in contact.
Third, and perhaps most exciting, Logan stayed dry all. day. long! Not only did he stay dry, but twice at B's aunt and uncle's house, he actually told me that he had to go potty. Once was even after we had put on his diaper and pajamas. I was floored. We've been working diligently on potty training for months and months now, and I am hoping and praying that we are seeing some progress.
Seriously, it really was a great holiday. Lo had a blast opening his gifts. He kept saying, "Santa sure did bring me a lot of presents," and alternating "Oh my GOSH!" and "Oh, oh, oh!" when he opened something especially exciting. I wish I would have taken more still shots, but we videotaped the entire opening process.
B generously let me take a three-hour nap on Christmas afternoon since I wasn't feeling well. (Does an uninterrupted three-hour nap for a mommy count as a fourth miracle?)
Oh, and after 824 relatives commented that Lo would look even cuter with a haircut, B finally caved and gave his blessing for me to cut his hair. He doesn't normally put his foot down on anything, so I was letting it go for a while. I do love the long hair look on boys, but my poor little man is starting to look a little sheepdog-esque. I'll post before and after pics on Tuesday!
What Christmas miracles did YOU experience?
First...Logan did not throw up...not once, all. day. long! His asthma seems to be somewhat under control at the moment, and I've been limiting food and drinks that can exacerbate reflux, which I am finding is correlated with asthma.
Second, Logan did not have one meltdown all. day. long! He showed patience while waiting for B to put his toys together, was obedient when I asked him to refrain from his very favorite activity, (running), and besides the few Harry Potter spells he tried to cast on people, was sweet as can be to everyone with whom he came in contact.
Third, and perhaps most exciting, Logan stayed dry all. day. long! Not only did he stay dry, but twice at B's aunt and uncle's house, he actually told me that he had to go potty. Once was even after we had put on his diaper and pajamas. I was floored. We've been working diligently on potty training for months and months now, and I am hoping and praying that we are seeing some progress.
Seriously, it really was a great holiday. Lo had a blast opening his gifts. He kept saying, "Santa sure did bring me a lot of presents," and alternating "Oh my GOSH!" and "Oh, oh, oh!" when he opened something especially exciting. I wish I would have taken more still shots, but we videotaped the entire opening process.
B generously let me take a three-hour nap on Christmas afternoon since I wasn't feeling well. (Does an uninterrupted three-hour nap for a mommy count as a fourth miracle?)
Oh, and after 824 relatives commented that Lo would look even cuter with a haircut, B finally caved and gave his blessing for me to cut his hair. He doesn't normally put his foot down on anything, so I was letting it go for a while. I do love the long hair look on boys, but my poor little man is starting to look a little sheepdog-esque. I'll post before and after pics on Tuesday!
What Christmas miracles did YOU experience?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...even in the blogosphere!
One of my favorite bloggers, Karen, tagged me in this Christmas meme. I'm a sucker for all things Christmas, and all things meme-esque, so of course, I was game!
1. Have you started your Christmas shopping?
Yep! I'm almost finished. I just have to get something for my brother and sister-in-law, but they are easy...they always want gift cards. Oh, and I need to print pictures of Logan for all the grandparents. I probably should get on that.
2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.
Ever since I was a little girl, we have had Christmas Day with my family at my parents' house. Now that they are divorced, I still insist on going to my dad's house that day. It is just not Christmas if I don't go there. However, the past two years, my family has battled the stomach flu on Christmas Day, so I am asking Santa for good health this year!
3. When do you put up your Tree?
As soon as B will let me! :) He likes to wait until after Thanksgiving, but I prefer the weekend before. I won this year. There's such a short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas...I like to get it up earlier so that I can enjoy it longer.
4. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
I won't get into my feelings on Black Friday again because I know it makes some of my favorite bloggers angry. I went last year, and didn't go this year. However, there is a great shopping center near my house and I heard (after the fact) that it was not busy and the NY&CO store there had every.single.item. in their store half off. If that is the case next year, I might have to give Black Friday shopping one more try next year.
5. Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?
We go to my dad's house in the afternoon, which is only about 15 minutes from my house, and then to B's crazy family's house in the evening, which is about 20 minutes from my dad's. So although we don't stay home, it probably isn't really traveling.
6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
When my brother was about five or six, he opened a pair of camouflage pajamas from our aunt and uncle. Apparently, they were not what he was expecting and he was pissed. He threw them down and ran out of the room, crying. If that isn't funny enough, they ended up being his favorite pajamas. My mom had a hard time getting them off of him to wash them. True story.
7. What is your favorite Christmas Movie of all time?
Elf. No movie makes me laugh as hard as that one.
8. Do you do your own Christmas baking? What’s your favorite treat?
Nope. When I was younger, I used to bake fig cookies with my grandma every year (not to be confused with Fig Newtons, which are ...blech...disgusting. I just don't have it in me to continue that tradition since she passed away. Plus, as I may have mentioned one or 37 times on my blog, cooking is not my favorite activity, and that includes baking. My favorite treat is those chewy peppermint candies and anything involving dark chocolate and/or mint.
9. Fake or Real Tree?
Fake. We always had a real one growing up and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't want to deal with the mess now. Or the allergies. I like our fake tree. I do miss the smell of a real one, though.
10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
I try to start everything WAY early because a panicky Gina is not a pretty Gina.
11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Not usually. No promises on this year, though. I might wait and wrap Lo's presents that night.
12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
My coworker gifts are turning out awfully cute. I might have to do something similar every year. I'll post pictures soon.
14. Christmas music? Yes or No, and if yes, what is your favorite song?
I love all Christmas songs. I prefer the happy ones, not the "I-miss-you-because-you-died-or-left-me-and-it's-Christmas," but I'll take what I can get. I love the classic Christmas music, like Judy Garland and Bing Crosby, but I also love the newer tunes, especially Bare Naked Ladies. I can't say that I have a favorite, but I love Silver Bells, Carol of the Bells, Frosty, Oh Holy Night, Santa Baby, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bell Rock...yeah, basically all of them.
15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Hopefully this weekend!
Do you want to play along?Just simply copy and paste the questions into your blog, and then answer them.
Then tag 5 or more of your favorite blogs, and leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged.
When you post on your blog, please spread some Christmas Cheer, and leave a link back to the blogger who started the meme: Heather, at Top 10 Christmas And I'm tagging....everyone! I would love to read all of your answers. Please, hook up a Christmas-loving blog-sister!
And if you are not the Christmas-loving meme type, at least go here to read about an awesome idea out and about in the blogosphere today. Namaste!
1. Have you started your Christmas shopping?
Yep! I'm almost finished. I just have to get something for my brother and sister-in-law, but they are easy...they always want gift cards. Oh, and I need to print pictures of Logan for all the grandparents. I probably should get on that.
2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.
Ever since I was a little girl, we have had Christmas Day with my family at my parents' house. Now that they are divorced, I still insist on going to my dad's house that day. It is just not Christmas if I don't go there. However, the past two years, my family has battled the stomach flu on Christmas Day, so I am asking Santa for good health this year!
3. When do you put up your Tree?
As soon as B will let me! :) He likes to wait until after Thanksgiving, but I prefer the weekend before. I won this year. There's such a short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas...I like to get it up earlier so that I can enjoy it longer.
4. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
I won't get into my feelings on Black Friday again because I know it makes some of my favorite bloggers angry. I went last year, and didn't go this year. However, there is a great shopping center near my house and I heard (after the fact) that it was not busy and the NY&CO store there had every.single.item. in their store half off. If that is the case next year, I might have to give Black Friday shopping one more try next year.
5. Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?
We go to my dad's house in the afternoon, which is only about 15 minutes from my house, and then to B's crazy family's house in the evening, which is about 20 minutes from my dad's. So although we don't stay home, it probably isn't really traveling.
6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
When my brother was about five or six, he opened a pair of camouflage pajamas from our aunt and uncle. Apparently, they were not what he was expecting and he was pissed. He threw them down and ran out of the room, crying. If that isn't funny enough, they ended up being his favorite pajamas. My mom had a hard time getting them off of him to wash them. True story.
7. What is your favorite Christmas Movie of all time?
Elf. No movie makes me laugh as hard as that one.
8. Do you do your own Christmas baking? What’s your favorite treat?
Nope. When I was younger, I used to bake fig cookies with my grandma every year (not to be confused with Fig Newtons, which are ...blech...disgusting. I just don't have it in me to continue that tradition since she passed away. Plus, as I may have mentioned one or 37 times on my blog, cooking is not my favorite activity, and that includes baking. My favorite treat is those chewy peppermint candies and anything involving dark chocolate and/or mint.
9. Fake or Real Tree?
Fake. We always had a real one growing up and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't want to deal with the mess now. Or the allergies. I like our fake tree. I do miss the smell of a real one, though.
10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
I try to start everything WAY early because a panicky Gina is not a pretty Gina.
11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Not usually. No promises on this year, though. I might wait and wrap Lo's presents that night.
12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
B's family party on Christmas night is really fun. The wine is flowing, everyone is full of Christmas cheer, the wine is flowing, I get to see fun people who I don't often get to see, and the wine is flowing.
13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
My coworker gifts are turning out awfully cute. I might have to do something similar every year. I'll post pictures soon.
14. Christmas music? Yes or No, and if yes, what is your favorite song?
I love all Christmas songs. I prefer the happy ones, not the "I-miss-you-because-you-died-or-left-me-and-it's-Christmas," but I'll take what I can get. I love the classic Christmas music, like Judy Garland and Bing Crosby, but I also love the newer tunes, especially Bare Naked Ladies. I can't say that I have a favorite, but I love Silver Bells, Carol of the Bells, Frosty, Oh Holy Night, Santa Baby, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bell Rock...yeah, basically all of them.
15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Hopefully this weekend!
Do you want to play along?Just simply copy and paste the questions into your blog, and then answer them.
Then tag 5 or more of your favorite blogs, and leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged.
When you post on your blog, please spread some Christmas Cheer, and leave a link back to the blogger who started the meme: Heather, at Top 10 Christmas And I'm tagging....everyone! I would love to read all of your answers. Please, hook up a Christmas-loving blog-sister!
And if you are not the Christmas-loving meme type, at least go here to read about an awesome idea out and about in the blogosphere today. Namaste!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Not Me! Monday...the Christmas decorations edition
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
I did NOT work for hours trying to get the ribbon on my Christmas tree just right. First of all, I'd get it right the first time. I'm perfectly creative like that. And if I didn't, I certainly wouldn't put hours of work into something like ribbon. But...ahem...if I did, I would NOT call my mom and ask her to fix it and make it look like the ribbon on her tree. I am far too old for that.
(I'm also NOT very happy with her handiwork...and I do NOT love the way the snowflake ribbon goes well with the snowflake tree topper. That's just silly.)
I did NOT drag my husband to Hobby Lobby in search of the perfect stockings and stocking holders last week. He had just worked out and was starving and I would never torture him like that. We did NOT look for over 30 minutes until we found three different, yet similar, snowman stockings. I am NOT already wondering what we'll do when we have another child.
When painting my handmade gifts for my coworkers, I did NOT get paint on our white lampshade. My husband had NOT just said that me working in our living room made me nervous and he was tempted to put towels around me. I am NOT an accident waiting to happen, especially when paint is involved. NOT me!
I did NOT try to hurry and sneakily clean it up with a Clorox wipe before he saw it. That is childish and irresponsible. I did NOT just make it worse by smearing the paint. And I did NOT end up crying and turning the lampshade around. I do NOT wonder how my husband puts up with me sometimes.
What have you NOT been up to this week?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Santa's on speed dial in our house.
While we were in Texas, my aunt gave me a box entitled Elf on the Shelf. I had never heard of it, but I opened it up and saw that it was a little elf doll with a hardcover book that went along with it. She explained that her daughter-in-law has it and loves it and it becomes a Christmas tradition in their house. Who doesn't love a Christmas tradition, right?
Since we returned home, I hadn't really thought much about the Elf on the Shelf (which, ironically, I had set on a shelf and sort of forgotten about). The other day, I posted a status update on Facebook about my phone calls to Santa to report on Logan's behavior. The first time I called Santa, Logan retorted, "Don' say 'dos words to Santa!" The efficacy of my Santa calls seemed to wane quickly, however.
Not too much longer after my post, a friend of mine who is a child psychologist responded, asking if I had heard of Elf on the Shelf, explaining that some parents have a lot of success with it. I busted out ol' Elfy and sat down with Logan to read him the story. It was actually very cute, explaining that the Elf would sit somewhere in your house and watch your behavior. Each night after everyone went to sleep, the Elf would fly to Santa with a report. He'd end up back at your house in the morning, but always in a different place.
Logan had one job...to name the Elf.
His idea?
Drumroll please.....
Mr. Christmas.
(Anyone else out there love that as much as me?)
So far, Mr. Christmas has been watching Lo closely. However, Lo doesn't seem to care about Mr. Christmas' powers. Perhaps that is because out of the two nights that Mr. Christmas was supposed to report to Santa and return to a different place in the house, he only did it once. (Don't judge. I'm tired and forgetful at night too and perhaps Mr. Christmas needed a break as well. The North Pole is a long flight, you know. )
So although I'm not ready to retire Mr. Christmas yet, I am quite hopeful that he'll be even more effective next year.
Maybe I'll see if Mr. Christmas will report to Santa regarding potty-training. Because if he works in that department, he'll be my new hero.
Since we returned home, I hadn't really thought much about the Elf on the Shelf (which, ironically, I had set on a shelf and sort of forgotten about). The other day, I posted a status update on Facebook about my phone calls to Santa to report on Logan's behavior. The first time I called Santa, Logan retorted, "Don' say 'dos words to Santa!" The efficacy of my Santa calls seemed to wane quickly, however.
Not too much longer after my post, a friend of mine who is a child psychologist responded, asking if I had heard of Elf on the Shelf, explaining that some parents have a lot of success with it. I busted out ol' Elfy and sat down with Logan to read him the story. It was actually very cute, explaining that the Elf would sit somewhere in your house and watch your behavior. Each night after everyone went to sleep, the Elf would fly to Santa with a report. He'd end up back at your house in the morning, but always in a different place.
Logan had one job...to name the Elf.
His idea?
Drumroll please.....
Mr. Christmas.
(Anyone else out there love that as much as me?)
So far, Mr. Christmas has been watching Lo closely. However, Lo doesn't seem to care about Mr. Christmas' powers. Perhaps that is because out of the two nights that Mr. Christmas was supposed to report to Santa and return to a different place in the house, he only did it once. (Don't judge. I'm tired and forgetful at night too and perhaps Mr. Christmas needed a break as well. The North Pole is a long flight, you know. )
So although I'm not ready to retire Mr. Christmas yet, I am quite hopeful that he'll be even more effective next year.
Maybe I'll see if Mr. Christmas will report to Santa regarding potty-training. Because if he works in that department, he'll be my new hero.
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