A visit to Santa-Photo story Friday

We began preparing for our visit to Santa last year. Minutes after a scream fest that was our visit to Santa. In the summer after their birthday Santa was big on their mind. They could not remember receiving their gifts last year so the whole idea of waking up to toys sounded pretty magical. One problem to overcome was, to get that kind of magic, they were told it required a visit to Santa and finding the courage to actually tell him what you wanted. Every week Sydney would talk about her desire to see Santa and that she would actually do it, you could tell she was trying to talk herself into it. She was worried. Hailey talked about it too and she seemed more confident of her ability to overcome her fears. This has gone on for months. On our way to Thanksgiving dinner Sydney suddenly got panicked, "Is Santa coming here"? No we told her. "Oh good" It was clear she wasn't going to Thanksgiving if he was coming. She even told us she did not want the Twin dollhouse she has been planning on if it meant seeing him. That Saturday was the big day, we always go see Santa that weekend. The whole way there the girls seemed like they were planning on doing it, they wanted the toys badly. We got out of the car and got in the small line that was forming. Suddenly the jolly old man came from the house waving to all the happy children, except mine. Sydney and Hailey began screaming in unison, clinging to every part of me, desperate to get away. Telling me over and over they wanted no toys at all. Well being the mean mom I am, we were going to see Santa it's tradition screaming and all. As our turn came up it became more clear to me that there was NO WAY the girls would go sit with Santa at all. So I told Alan we would have to stand behind Santa and hold the girls. So we headed in. I had Sydney and she was literally clawing me even being near him. Santa looked over to her and told her, " I am the nice guy. I bring toys. Don't you want toys, etc..." that was it. All the the sudden Sydney said, "I want to sit on his lap". What? I could not believe my ears. I thought we might escape the picture if we could get Hailey in it too. That was not possible, all her big talk was just talk. She did, however, tell him what she wanted. Success or close to it. Amazingly I liked the picture we were forced to take as a family. Maybe that is our new tradition, why not?
Here are few other shots of our Santa visit 2008.
This week while interviewing preschools one boasted that Santa comes and the kids all get to sit on his lap etc... I had to laugh, even now, that is the twins worst nightmare. LOL!

For more Photo story Friday's go here...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

The greatest show on earth and Tuesday's Tip...

Last week we did an annual trip to the circus. The kids were over the moon about going and did not leave disappointed.

My kids with cousins and a few friends who used our extra tickets (it was a lot of kids).

I, however, could have done without nacho cheese in my hair thanks to the drunks sitting behind us.

Tuesday's Tip...
Some one I love was recently told she had an irregular lump found during her mammogram . It was located where they could not do a needle biopsy so she underwent surgery last Monday to have it removed. It was very small and caught early. The doctor said it did not look malignant. Unfortunately when the pathology came back last Wednesday it was Cancer. We were all so shocked and sad for her. She underwent surgery again today (poor thing) and they were able to confirm good news in that it had not spread to any lymph nodes. We are hopeful and grateful this was caught early. But I know she has been through a lot and still has treatment ahead. I share all this for one reason though. Please get yourself and the women you love to get their mammograms done and when they/ you do insist on a digital mammogram one (its new) it makes a difference. None of this would have been seen this early if she had no been gone in on time (the lump would never have been felt where its located so exams were useless for her) and it was not visible on a regular machine. The best treatment for Cancer is early detection. I feel grateful for this being found early. It really wakes you up when those you Love get sick.

Just because...

Hailey (her smile is at an awkward stage)

Sydney

See how dirty she is...

Some of the photos before the hike...

Adventures in baby-sitting...

The other day I was chatting with a mom of older teen girls I was asking her about baby sitting etc... She suggested I start having Lindsey "baby sit" for me while I was at home and needed to get things done. This way I would be there to help in an emergency (and it would be legal ha ha). Obviously I would not leave a 9 yrd old babysitting alone. I had never thought about having her be in charge while I was home and it occurred to me that not only would she like it but she could use that experience. So being a busy week and me having a messy house I hired her for a morning. First I took her to get craft supplies etc... She began watching the kids outside. She helped them make visors, let them run through the sprinklers etc... After 1.5 hrs I had not been bothered at all. At that point she came upstairs and told me Sydney was crying to come inside and that I needed to help. I reminded her that she was in charge and that she should change activities and bring her inside (no brainer huh). So she brought them all inside, turned on a video and popped popcorn. Later she made them pb&j for lunch too. After I put them down for their naps I noticed a terrible mess in the kitchen. I had to remind her that part of baby sitting was cleaning it up. So she cleaned too. I got my entire house clean for $5. L I will absolutely try this again. Jacob helped too and earned $2.50. Lindsey was not in charge of Jacob (that would NEVER work).

Ice Cream for dinner...

After surviving a long 9 days without Alan I told the kids we could have ice cream for dinner (I cheated and fed them toast first). If you have ever had the Chili's Molton cake you know that there is nothing out there like it. If I am going to indulge this is where I am going... My 9 days alone went well except the last few- which were so bad I was counting the hours for Alan to arrive home. We missed him.

My sister came along. Thank goodness for that.

Look at those dirty faces.

Photostory Friday- The afternoon conk out...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I mentioned before how busy we have been this summer. We tend to go go go and then come home for the twins to nap. Quite often lately I will stumble upon Lindsey or Jacob
conked out too. Just too much fun and summer I guess. Last night he was sent to time out and I found him sound asleep he stayed asleep all night. POOR.TIRED.BOY

Water Entries...

We Swim a lot (thus the green hair issue). At the beginning of the summer the twins were not sure they even wanted to float with the floaties without mommy or daddy hanging on. As you can see thats a thing of the past. They are all over the pool and love to put their faces under water. Jacob and Lindsey are doing so well we are looking into swim team. Lindsey's biggest fear was diving. Something about going in head first sent her into a panic. I am so proud to say she seems to have overcome that fear! We are so lucky because Grandma and Grandpa have a pool.

Thursday's Thirteen

Thirteen reasons why our summer has been anything but lazy.
1-Swim lessons and free swimming from 10am-1:30pm.

2-Water parks

3-Arts in the park. A program my bigger kids go two twice a week from 10-12pm. It's actually very nice.
4-Jet Skiing with twins? Enough said?



5-Church meetings and activities to plan and hold.
6-Four kids home ALL.THE.TIME.
7-Fitting in the gym, girls nights, and hospital volunteering.
8-Later bedtimes and early risers.
9-More places to go as a family (Park City)
10-Pool towels to wash, swimsuits to wash, two outfits per child almost everyday.
11-Green hair. Any tips? Baths needed every single night (not always given).
12-Summer Movies
13- House that needs cleaning (desperately) even though we never seem to be home.

I just need a day to just be home with deadlines gone.

Virtual reality...

So summer's here and the kids are busy fighting playing. Their latest fights are always about virtual games. Yesterday it was Lindsey decorating Jacob's Build a Bear room black with pink hearts. Totally rad for her but Jacob was NOT happy. The other day Jacob had a friend over (who shall remain nameless). This kid was totally going nuts to use my computer and saying nuts puts it mildly. I was being threatened by a 6 yr old because his webkinz pet needed care. Seriously?

So I set limits. My kids are in love with...
Webkinz
Pirates online
and Build a bear world.

Happy Fourth!

Every Fourth of July I have always dressed the kids up in patriotic clothing. I think it started when I received a baby dress for Lindsey from an Aunt. Since then I have always done it. Like any thing really worthwhile, getting the picture isn't very easy.

I'll share more later. Hope you all have a wonderful day!