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I'm off for a girls weekend getaway. Celebrating a girls birthday in style. It's always stressful preparing for me to leave, but by this time tomorrow that will all be behind me and I will be soaking in sunshine and complete freedom (thank you sooooo much Alan). Muah! See ya in a few days!
The View from my house...
and a tidbit from Hailey....
Hailey loves shoes. Every barbie opened on Christmas (all there were a lot) she exclaimed "Oh look at her shoes".
This morning the following conversation took place:
H-Mommy did you sleep in those shoes"?
Doesn't everyone wear high heeled boots with the jammies driving kids to school in the morning?
Later she noticed my boots had a few scuffs on them. "Oh no she exclaimed, what will I wear when I am Mommy if your Mommy boots are ruined"?
Have a good Monday.
You may have noticed I have a tendency to take a lot of pictures. It's a disease almost. I can't stand to let a moment go unrecorded. Especially the ones that look so crisp and nice on film. Snowboarding and skiing are no exception. So last weekend I dragged the girls up the ski slopes.
Mistake #1 the girls were not in snow clothing.
Mistake #2 Underestimating the crowds.
Mistake #3 No picture is worth all that...
Upon my arrival (it's not a short drive). I found that there was absolutely no parking. I mean NONE. After driving around for the better part of an hour. I finally made myself a little parking spot. It seemed to work.
Then I unloaded the girls and we headed up to find Alan and Jacob who were already there. I immediately saw Jacob coming down the mountain. All smiles. Snap Snap snap. Then behind me I see Sydney trip and fall and get her hands in the snow. This began a crying fit that lasted the rest of my visit. She was cold. She was miserable. It was not worth it.
After I got my pictures... we headed over the lodge for some food and warmth. Really most of skiing or snowing boarding is, all so you can spend a little time in the lodge. At least if you have kids in tow right? Today, not possible. Packed to the rim that lodge, all levels, all tables. People everywhere. We give up. They hit the slopes. I pack up the little girls, Hailey is now crying too because she wants to ski/snowboard the slopes. I was SO happy to get to the car, where Sydney promptly told me (still wet with tears), "That was the greatest place ever, when are we going back"?
Ummm I got my pictures. Not any time soon..............
Here is a few of my spoils...
For more Photo Story Friday's go here...
Apparently smiling isn't natural with braces on. You have to relearn how to smile. Well atleast how to do it without looking like a today dork (see above). And relearn how to eat, it's so hard to eat. I have to brush 4 times a day. Turning this expander is the worst. ACHE. This getting straight teeth business is a down right pain. Yes I get points for posting the picture of me looking like a complete dork.
For more Wordy Wednesday's go here...
I know who Serifina, Analese are, I can sing " I feel connected" with a barbie too. I can sing lot's of songs (out of tune).
I know all about build a bearville, club penguin, webkins and toontown.
I find Arthur a witty show. Beats all those lame kiddie shows. It's actually funny.
I spend most of my time looking for socks and don't get me started on shoes.
I am always doing a load of laundry and its still never done.
I watch a lot of spectator sports... basketball (Jacob), Swimming (Lindsey) and gymnastics (twins).
I can't win any of my kids on wii sports.
I know where all the bathrooms are in most public places.
I keep my snacks under lock and key.
I brush a lot of teeth and cut a lot of toe nails.
I get to shop for cute clothes for kids.
I do a lot of hair (I have three girls).
All my time is on some type of schedule or deadline.
I believe in incentives. The whole world runs on them anyway.
I never get to sleep in but I always go to bed very late.
I can make hurts feel better like magic.
I am needed.
I get lots of snuggles.
I read lots of books.
I am rarely all alone.
I am admired which manifests itself in both compliments and modeling (in mostly nice ways).
I am loved.
Remember Ballet? Well Ballet wasn't working. Not.at.all. The girls enjoyed it. The teacher was awesome. Yet every Wednesday was horror running the girls back and forth. So after a lot of thought and major guilt I pulled them out.
I have felt guilty ever since (mommy guilt is sure powerful). All along I had a plan, a better plan. Gymnastics was offered at the swim club Lindsey swims at, at the same time. Genius right? Last week the girls started their first class. They loved every somersault, hop or beam walk. Mommy guilt is officially washed away. My life is slightly more manageable.
I won't reveal all the details (that might be to humiliating) but there has been a hang bag search going on around here. Trips to stores, internet research (doesn't everyone do that?). All in search of deals. My sisters have all made a purchase (even my Mom). I have been wanting to join in but anyone who knows me knows that I like to bargain hunt. I like nice things, I really do but I like deals more. I usually have the ability to get deals on anything I buy, in fact I consider that half of the fun of buying.
So today a few stars aligned and the girls and I headed over and purchased my first nice purse. All the credit goes to my little sister who did most of the searching and helped me find my deal and the perfect bag for me. Can you tell I am in love already?
For more Wordy Wednesday's go here...
New years Eve was a wonderful night. Good Friends, Good Food, Fun Games. We had Pizza, Fondue, and treats. The fondue was sooo good. Unfortunately my stomach was not big enough to eat all the stuff we had (tough problem to have huh).
The kids slept over at Grandma and Grandpa's. It was top secret but Grandma and Grandpa planned a surprise party at Chuck E. Cheese. They booked a birthday party package and got to have a birthday for everyone on New Years Eve. Unfortunately, Sydney, who has never been to Chuck E. Cheese was terrified. Would not get of the car. She actually hid under the table some of the time. I guess like her mother, she has a phobia of rats. Ha ha. Stay tuned I finally got the video loaded of Sydney and Hailey talking about Chuck E. Cheese. It's hilarious.
I woke up...
Ran kids to school.
Shoveled the snow off the driveway (45 minutes worth of work).
Made breakfast cleaned it up.
Cleaned house.
Folded laundry.
Made phones calls (at the same time).
Ran to school to drop off toy that was forgotten for sharing day. Dropped off ski stuff for Lindsey to avoid another trip back.
Dropped twins at preschool.
Went to the grocery store.
Realized I forgot a snow hat for Lindsey- borrowed one and ran back to the school.
Came home vacuumed house.
Showered.
Picked up preschool.
Made hot chocolate and set out bought treats for a mother daughter get together here from 2:30-4.
Now I have a lull till I have to...
Pick up skiing Lindsey.
Make dinner.
Basketball pics and Game for Jacob
Try to muster the energy to get to the gym tonight.
WHEW!
Don't you hate days like this?
Oh and I need major helping uploading video. I took a small video. Well its bigger but not out of control big... I click on the film strip and wait and wait and even overnight it won't upload. It won't upload to youtube either. The file is a AVI file and is 284 MB. HELP!
A few years ago my sister gave my kids Build a bear gift cards for Christmas. To put it mildly it was a hit and each year she gives the kids this gift again. I give her a lot of credit for spending SO much money (my kids want so many accessories) and for winning for fun and creativity too. This year the little girls got cards too (in the past they got Gymboree) so I came along.
The funny thing about this picture is that a Grandma offered to take a picture of me in it too. I did not need that (as you might notice) but didn't want to be rude. We get all lined up for the pic and she says, "okay kids say whisky". So my kids confused said, "whisky". I was a little shocked. LOL!
Have a great weekend... My braces are on and I am in pain pain pain. I can't imagine why I did this. OUCH!
December...
We played in the snow...
We had ate way too much...
Which required many visits to the gym...
Lot's of time with my sisters (we were networking our computers and sharing stuff here at 1am)...
There was holiday parties...
Sleeping under the Christmas tree (as much as possible)...
Playing the wii
Hang out in our p.j's all day long...
Welcome January ...........
Christmas was magic.... So much magic I haven't been online in forever. NO posting, no peeking at blogs. Unheard of I tell you. I hope you all enjoyed Christmas as much as we did. There was a Wii waiting for my kids. I guess Santa felt we shouldn't miss out on the whole experience. We love it. Jacob cracks me up playing it. No one can beat that kid at bowling. He spins his arm and gets strikes every time. His arm is getting sore, serious fun. The twins were quite impressed with the non appearance of Santa himself and the stuff left behind. The Barbie cruise is well loved (although not recommended by me) and the Twin doll house is being played every day all day (I do recommend). I got spoiled too and will be enjoying my new Canon elph power shot. I needed a camera to keep in my purse (although will remain loyal to the Rebel).
Alan is enjoying a new flat screen t.v. I almost had a panic attack seeing it installed and the furniture all moved but have to admit the new t.v is nice and sleek.
Off to catch up on all your Christmas fun....
Today we went to Costco. It was a disaster. You both cried the whole way there over different issues, one being a buckle that could not get buckled ( we waited to drive till you got that sorted out)and the other was a toy that was not being shared. Once we arrived in the store it was laughing and giggling which turned to screaming and crying far too often. There was coats that were thrown out of the cart, shoes being dropped. Items being begged for. We tried every sample there was and the mess that followed. When we walked into the cold area's we snuggled all together to keep warm (you both love that part). When we put the pickle jar in the cart you would have thought Christmas had arrived at your excitement. Then there was the aggressive shampoo lady who made all three of us smell her shampoo. She insisted she put it in our cart even when I said, "no thank you". You must have been making a scene because all the while people are stopping us asking if your twins, if I have my hands full, etc... I honestly felt I was at my whits end. The costco trip was long, you were both silly and cranky and it was really hard. Per routine we always get our drinks and lunch followed by the normal fighting over who gets to give the receipt to the lady at the door (for the record Sydney did it). We go to Costco so often, its the only store where I can contain both of you from running off but, for some reason this trip was exhausting and my patience was very thin. As we were walking out to the car the snow was falling and the bitter wind was blowing so we had to get our coats on, and snow boots too (that took a long time).I put my coat on and pulled my hood over my head, you both laughed till you were snorting. I have no idea why it was so funny to you but it was (maybe I look bad). It was a lot of laughing because we parked so far away. Pretty soon I was laughing too and thinking how someday our Costco trips will end, I won't be battling you two for peace and I'll be walking the aisles alone. You won't be asking why Costco doesn't have doors and pickle jars will loose all their magic. Oh how I love you my little girls.
As mentioned in a previous post... I hate making dinner. I think its because I am a poor planner and my family is very picky. So to combat that and because making dinner can't be optional I tried to organize the whole process.
First I sat down with Alan and made a list of dinners (he is picky too).
Then I listed all the things I needed to make them, plus snacks, breakfast and lunch items. Oh and with Christmas around the corner the extra stuff to make and enjoy too.
I then set out to first Target to finish off the Christmas shopping I bragged was done (its never really done).
Then onto the grocery store and finish with Costco. All in one day, mistake #1.
All organized and bought I have tons of food. Fridge needs to be cleaned out etc... The twins were terrors at Costco and the store was a zoo (mistake #2). I put them down for nap time and laid on the couch in defeat. We are going out for dinner tonight.
In seriousness I am putting the list of meals down (ingredients are bought for all) as they are used they will be crossed out. This way for the next 8 days I will have meals already purchased ready to prepare. I can just choose which one for which day as needed. It should work, in theory. Right? So how do you plan and prepare you meals? What makes your system easier? What do you do when someone hates the meal? Do they skip dinner? Can they make an alternate item? I'd love your thoughts.
Oh and in the interest of updates. I am getting braces on January 7th. Thanks so much for all the encouraging comments!
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...
